2 people found this review helpful
Review from CharityNavigator Children International
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April 7, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
I have been a sponsor since 2008 & I chose it because it was the most renowned org. so I assumed legitimate as well & because it was the only org. I could find that offered sponsorship for children in Guatemala, where I preferred. I don't know about several photos being received by sponsor children, but I DO receive 1 a yr. I also receive a letter from her @ 3 times a year. I consulted Charity Navigator because some of my experiences with this org concerned me & motivated me to research further. First, in the beginning of my sponsorship, I was told my child was still unable to write when she was 8, mind you, & that her sister was writing her letters for her that I received, which went on for a couple years, then I started receiving letters that said my sponsor child was now writing them, but the handwriting had not changed 1 BIT & for a child just learning to write: that was something very unexpected. I contacted the org. & they said that it was definitely my child writing the letters & that perhaps she had similar handwriting to her sister because they were related, which sounded really far fetched to me. There was nothing else I could do then. Also, I had an issue a while back where I was sending a sizable amount for special contributions (holidays, etc.) & I was receiving letters that my child only received something so trivial as a backpack or a sweater, etc. while I'm thinking if I can buy tons more of those items in the US w/that amount of $, wouldn't they be able to purchase even more in Guatemala with that same amount? I consulted the org. about this & was told the $ from the contributions was divided amongst the sponsor children to esp. help out the children whose sponsors did not send a special contribution, which I sympathized with, but at the same time: if I'm sending $50 for example, I expect the entire amount to go to my child for gifts that are worth that amount, not to hear she ended up with a sweater worth $5 because other kids didn't have sponsors. I just think your $ is not viewed as much of a gift to your child when they receive something hardly worth anything, esp. when you sent so much more! I still have found no recourse regarding these issues so have just decided for the sake of the child & her family to finish my sponsorship until she's of age (because she shouldn't suffer because of the org.) & find another sponsor child org. And now after seeing the CEO's salary on here: I agree with others that that is DEFINITELY uncalled for. There isn't that much work in the world that a human being should get paid that much PERIOD unless he's moving MOUNTAINS. If anyone can give me advice based on experience with the aforementioned issues with this org., please do & thx.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being a sponsor since 2008.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not divide sponsors' contributions amongst all the children just to help the un-sponsored children while our sponsor child gets majorly short-changed on her gift, truthfully inform the sponsors about who's writing the child's letters, & significantly lower the CEO's salary & whoever else in the org. that is receiving several hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
April 7, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
We began sponsoring a child in Guatemala in 2004, and I had the opportunity of visiting him and his family the following year. I saw the Children International center in his village as well as visiting his home. We have been exchanging letters since the sponsorship began.
In 2009 my husband and I added a sponsorship for a little girl in Chile, because we were planning a trip there a few months later. We were very impressed with our visit to the Children International office for the area and the small office that served the village where our sponsored child lives. Staff showed us around and answered all of our questions. Then we were taken to the home of our sponsored child, where we met the family before spending the day on an outing with the little girl and her mother. The day's activities were chosen by her, and we also got to visit her pre-kindergarten classroom at her school. It was a wonderful experience, and I was so glad that this time my husband was able to witness Children International in action.
We believe CI is a very worthwhile organization, since they focus on health and education services for sponsored children. We understand that the money we send for gifts for our sponsored children also helps provide for children whose sponsors do not contribute beyond the basic monthly amount. Gifts include needed items for the household as well as for the child. When I visited my sponsored child in Guatemala, we sat on a stools in the kitchen that had been purchased for the family with one of the special contributions that we send for Birthday, Christmas, Easter and Special Hug Day.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
visits to both of our sponsored children and by exchanging letters with them.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
reduce the salary of the CEO.
March 25, 2011
I do not have any particular background information or hard research facts, but I have supported this charity for years (several children at any given time) and have not had any bad experiences. I receive letters from the children, as well as photos and other frequent updates.
Can I vouch for the efficiency of this charity? No. (In fact, I came to CharityNavigator.org to research that aspect...). But as best as I can tell, it seems to be a well run charity.
I also find myself disagreeing with the 1-star reviewers here. Birthday card money not going 100% to the child? Well, first of all, where is the data to back that up. But even if that is the case, I have no major problem with it, as long as the charity's overall funds end up with the children. Sure, dock them a star and move from 5-star to 4-star. But drop to 1-star?!? It seems there are bigger issues at stake.
Also, who cares if the CEO of an organization of this size makes $400k a year?!? That is just naive. $400,000 a year and a company car isn't exactly a stellar top executive salary, and it seems to me that most people who are serious about donating money to charities like this one should probably be aware of that. I would have in fact expected the CEO to make more, especially if he does a good job, which all the facts I have been able to research about this charity lead me to believe.
I rate my experience with this organization 5-star. I am not sure if their financial efficiency is 5-star, but my experience certainly is.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I receive frequent updates about the children I sponsor, as well as letters and pictures from those children.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I am under the impression that the overall organization could improve its financial efficiency, compared to other organizations. But that is probably easier said than done.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Likely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
Why did you make your donation at this time?
Years ago I saw a commercial on TV that caught my eye.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
March 14, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
If you look at www.charitynavigator.org it lists how much the head of the organization, Mr Cook is taking out every year. He makes over $400,000 a year and the organization is rated only 3 stars. I will continue to sponsor the child I have there until she is grown up, but then I will sponsor instead at Sarnelli orphanage in Thailand where a priest takes a megar salary. You also receive letters and pictures from the child.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Donating
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Have Mr Cook decrease his extremely high salary
March 7, 2011
I have been a sponsor through Children International for the last six months and I could not be more delighted with this non-profit.
They do so much good for impoverished children and their communities, and all of this is reflected through letters, pictures, and reports. Their representatives answer any questions quickly and efficiently; and there is even an excellent forum that allows one to connect with other sponsors to share stories and photos.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
child sponsorship, which is a personally rewarding experience for both child and sponsor.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not be able to think of any suggestions. I am very happy with my experience.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
March 6, 2011
I absolutely love Children International! I am currently a graduate student studying engineering and I still prefer to donate money when I do not have too much of my own. It is very rewarding and when I began sponsoring about 1.5 years ago, I chose several different organizations and Children International far exceeds any of the other organizations that I have encountered.
My relationship with my children that I sponsor is really developing and I truly feel like I know them in only one year. I plan to visit them once I finish school and the sponsorship blog site www.LiftOne.org is extraordinary. I spend a lot of time on this site reading letters from other sponsors and watching videos from their visits and pictures they have sent.
Children International is so incredible, that it is addicting. My sponsorship family grows and grows especially with the ease of group sponsorships where you have 12 sponsors so you each pay for one month a year. Without the assistance of all the sponsors on LiftOne, it would be too difficult to find 11 other sponsors for your group.
I cannot explain how amazing Children International is and also their staff every time I call or email is incredibly helpful.
I have not bee completely satisfied with the customer service of the other organizations either.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Through my sponsorship experience I can see the results of the positive impact that this program has on my sponsored children. They are inspired to learn and say it has a lot to do with me. One of them would like to be just like me, and I hope that is true as I am working on my Ph.D. I am willing to do whatever I can to assist her to obtain this goal.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
The only changes I would like to make would be to make the cost of multi-chiild sponsors a little less. I know it might sound silly, but if a person sponsors several children, like more than 5 or so, then I would like to see the cost reduced per child to $20 a month as opposed to $22.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
I like to inspire.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
I saw a late night television promo for another organization so I did my research.
What would you tell others about this organization?
It is amazing you absolutely have to join and also join www.LiftOne.org. Even if you feel you do not have enough money to sponsor a single child, I am sure you can afford a $22 a year donation as part of a group sponsorship.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
February 24, 2011
I started to sponser a little Girl in india in october 2008 and i still sponser her. i feel good about doing what i do to help some one that needs help.
i have read some bad reviews of the company and i dont know if its true but it seems like a good charity. people need to understand that not all charitys are bad and not all people are out to get us.
i believe its a real charity and everyone is allowed to have their own opinion. so far i have not had any bad things come from the company of children international. i had felt a little unsure when i read some other peoples reviews but just cause some one says some thing to you dont make it true. if you dont trust a company dont send money to them. i like doing my part and i like being able to think of the child as ''my child'' so to speak. i gotten letters and pictures thruout the 3 years since i started and until some proof comes out im gonna stay doing what i do. it makes you feel good if you have a heart to help those in need.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
letters and photos of the child.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
maybe give more money to those in need.
February 13, 2011
I started sponsoring a child through CI in 2004. After visiting her in India in 2005, I was so impressed that I added another child, and my parents began sponsoring their child. I am now sponsoring four children and just visited them again, as well as a child sponsored by a group of friends, and my parents' sponsored child. It is amazing to see all that CI does for the children and the communities that they live in. My oldest is now 17 and a smart, hard-working high school student with her eyes set on college next.
There various programs and campaigns make a big difference for the children and their families, provioding them with school needs, medical and dental check-ups and care, extra food for kids in need, youth group programs, and places to study and play, and much more-- such as the option to help families with income-generating projects or home improvements.
Many people are suspicious of sponsorship organizations, but in the past 7 years, I have had nothing but excellent experiences and countless evidence that they are an effective, legitimate organization. I am extremely pleased and thrilled to be a part of it.
I have donated extra funds for tutors, family needs and so forth and have always found the organization to be consistent and transparent. I greatly enjoy the exchange of letters with my sponsored children and over time have built a good relationship with them.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I sponsor 4 children, have visited twice and regularly converse with my children.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
add a category in the family report stating what grade the child is in and if have stayed back in school.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
helping children get the education they have a right to
Why did you make your donation at this time?
I have been donating since 2004
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
January 25, 2011
I have been sponsoring a girl in the Dominican Republic for about 5 years. Recently my husband and I traveled there to visit and we met her. Every aspect of the visit met or exceeded my expectations. The field office people there showed me around their office in Santo Domingo and a translater was with us and the child and her mother. We had a wonderful day getting to know each other in person and we got to see what a difference we had made in her life. She may not understand it yet, but she has made a difference in my life too; the joy I got from seeing her excitement and hearing about her school and her dreams for her future is immeasurable. I would recommend this org. to anyone - truly wonderful people doing inspiring work and changing lives - one child at a time.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The Dominican Republic
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I was pleased with every aspect of Childrens International; I researched their numbers before I began sponsoring and they are in line with other similarly sized charites and have an excellent reputation.
July 19, 2010
3 people found this review helpful
It appears that the organization uses most of the children's birthday contributions for purposes other than birthday purposes. If you were to do the simple calculation of converting american currency to that of the currency of the country in which your sponsor child lives, then compare that difference to the approximate price of the reported gifts, as I did, you would realize that the numbers do not add up nearly to the amount of your contribution. A big part of your contribution would be missing.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in second hand form, as i am not permitted to speak to the family that I help directly. The organization updates me seasonaly on how the family is doing, but never sends me invoices, AsIRequest
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If I had to make changes to this organization I would have them make itemized invoices that include numbers. They refuse to report what they spend the dontions on.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
I only enjoy the letters from the children who apprediate even the smallest amount of assisstance.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The staff all appears to be very kind.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
idk
Ways to make it better...
IF the orgnization would have been more responsible on the receiving end of my packaged donations. They failed to pay colombian customs the small fee of 30 dollars for me when they could not contact me by phone. It was a 600 dolar package.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Getting co-operation from the organization to report itemized expenses has been impossible.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I thought it was strange that they do not allow you to speak to the children directly.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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