Compassion International, Inc.
January 23, 2012
I have had the opportunity to see the work of Compassion International twice. From what I observed it is definitely making a huge impact in the lives of many Peruvian children in Lima, Peru. People should be aware that the organization is heavily Christian in nature and consider this before donating/deciding to sponsor a child(after all-their tagline is 'Releasing Children From Poverty In Jesus' Name' and their statement of faith is similar to the National Christian Evangelical Society's statement of faith). Compassion grassroots level is centered around local churches located in impoverished areas- most children in Compassion's program therefore are Christian to a degree and receive regular biblical training (in addition to meals, medicine, and school fees). The Compassion children I've met have all been well-cared for and every dollar Compassion receives has been well-spent. The organization uses complete transparency with their donors... and continually ranks in the top 1-5% of charities in the United States. They also really seem to take into account the concerns/requests of their donors(i.e. they recently overhauled their letter-writing system recently after receiving so much feedback from sponsors on what could be done to improve it). If you're Christian and you want to make a difference in the life of a child/make a meaningful donation then, definitely consider entrusting Compassion with your money.... whatever you give- you can donate with full confidence that to Compassion it will be money well spent!
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
December 29, 2011
My family and I are on our third child and I have nothing but good things to say about Compassion. When our first child stopped coming to the Compassion center I was notified as soon as it was confirmed the family had moved on. I was offered my last donation back or the option to continue with another child. The second child graduated out of the program and we received a wonderful parting letter. Now we are on our third child who is young enough to only send pictures and some basic writing. Every organization has problems from time to time, but I have always received prompted responses to my questions and requested followup information. Given the choice of paying my taxes and or contributing to Compassion, I couldn't answer Compassion fast enough.
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
1 person found this review helpful
December 26, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
."We will not forward materials or communications that advocate another religious worldview." I have supported a child for about 10 years or more (I think) and all along had concerns that there is a bit too much emphasis, perhaps almost arm twisting, for a child to accept the world view of this organization if he wishes to continue to receive benefits of support. We did receive letters more than once per year, but it was obvious that the child was not to be allowed to send us a letter that was not obviously edited, perhaps even dictated by the organization. I do not believe that the letters as worded would have been the true words of the child's own thoughts, wishes, inclinations, dreams... and frankly, I didn't need all that many through Jesus' in one letter from a small child whose writings did not reflect a child having a normal life with his normal needs, hopes, wishes, etc. I would love to help a child again, but I believe this boy was being blackmailed to fit into one very conscripted mold or be told he might loose his funding... and I suspect that IF he were to have decided that the fundamentalist Jesus was not his style... he would never let anyone known his real needs and beliefs, for fear of loosing his funding. To me that is suspicious of way too much pressure to accept the promoted religion. Sorry, but that is blackmail... or at least suspicious behaviour on the part of the charity.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Unsure
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Unsure
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
November 19, 2011
Our family has sponsored a child for several years. Through the years we've received handwritten letters (with a translation) and pictures periodically. It's been a blessing to watch this little boy grow up into a young man of 15 now. He was 7 when we began.
The child is wonderful and this organization seems to really care about him. I can even arrange to meet him, if I were financially able to travel there.
I feel certain that our child is being cared for and his quality of life is being improved by our sponsorship.
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
1 person found this review helpful
November 7, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
This is not an organization where folk care enough about the sponsored humans to follow up on individual concerns.
I have sponsored children with Compassion International since 1990. But now I would say do not use them.
I cancelled because this organization does not care to follow-up on child concerns. My sponsored child's letter was 20 lines long, the translation was 5 lines. This happened twice, i phoned Compassion, whose first response was "it is the language they use" ( the language changed all of a sudden from previous letters?). Next they asked me to send them copies of the letters which I did.
Then I had a letter where the child told me he had a bad leg - although photos in the last ten years gave no indication. My email to Compassion via their website got no response.
Get this: when I called them, it was as if I had not sent the copies of the letters to them "not received", nor obviously did they care to follow-up with me the fact they did not have the letters so they could investigate..
.
As for my "email" that is a separate department who should have responded.
Compassion was "sorry I was cancelling and would find another sponsor for my child" in response to me saying how can I trust and organization that does not respond or follow-up on concerns?
I should have stopped when the first child I sponsored reach age 18y and Compassion told me that was it, they cannot do any more for her.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Providing sponsorship to children for over 20 years
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make each individual working there accountable as to why sponsor concerns are not being followed-up and answered.
November 5, 2011
i sponsor two children through Compassion and can attest that their work is long-term, Christ-centered, and far-reaching. I have met my child who lives in Bolivia. While there we met several members of a family who learned about Jesus through the child's interaction with the local church center and the sponsor's letters. Compassion works through local churches who know and understand the families and their needs. The children get food, education, health care, and Christian teaching through a meaningful one-on-one sponsorship. As most Compassion children do, my child had all of her letters and cards that I had sent over the years. I also get frequent updates and letters from her. While in Bolivia, the country office took us to their headquarters and opened up all the finanancial files for us to examine. They maintain attendance records, costs, and all receipts for individual gifts. They are transparent in everything they do and are an incredible organization!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Definitely! I have seen how excited the children get when the sponsors come to visit. The ones who did not have sponsors visit were thrilled to have other sponsors play with them and spend time with them. The children are given a complete curriculum that inlcudes receiving Bibles at particular ages, health education, food, fellowship, health care and a health-awareness education.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
none.
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 wanted to make a difference for one child in allareas, inlcudig knowing and loving God, and be able to have contact and establish a relationship with the person I am assisting.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
I had sponsored a child with a group of people while in college and felt led to sponsor one on my own.
What would you tell others about this organization?
As with any organization, do your homework. You will see that Comapssion is financially responsible and resourceful! They provide so much to the chidlren for so little. You also get to personally know the one child you are sponsoring and be a part of their development.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
September 5, 2011
I was first introduced to Compassion while watching a video of the band MercyMe talking about the children they themselves have sponsored and great of a program Compassion was. I was curious about the program and decided to do more research about them. I was pleased with their mission and the way they divide the funds. I decided to sponsor three children and I could not be happier with the program. It's easy to make payments and write letters to your kids online. I highly recommend Compassion!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Sponsoring children.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Be able to give more money per month to an individual kid.
May 26, 2011
I have wanted to get involved in some missionary work for several years and when a cousin came to visit she told me her grand daughter was working overseas with Compassion. I asked her to help me get connected. My second cousin sent me all the necessary papers to fill out and soon I had a darling little 5 year old girl assigned to me. That was 3 years ago. Abigail sends me pictures she has colored and I write her letters and send her small enclosures with the letters for her to color , etc. An interpreter transcribes our letters for each of us so it does take a couple of month. God bless Compassion. J.L.A. Ohio
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have told many other people about Compassion
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Try to make the turn around time quicker with correspondence.
April 19, 2011
We've sponsored kids for over 15 years. I highly recommend Compassion. Their long term commitment and partnership with local churches at the projects are wonderful. Their other programs such as Child Survival are great too. The one on one contact with the kids to share and learn about their culture and daily lives is great. Sharing prayer concerns and praises is a wonderful thing. Watching them grow and mature is very special as well. This ministry and my Compassion kids have been a great blessing to me.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Sponsoring kids. Child survival program support.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I don't know of any changes I'd make.
April 19, 2011
Our family has sponsored several students through Compassion for more than a year now. I live in the same town as Compassion's headquarters, and have toured their offices and met many Compassion employees. I mentor a Compassion program graduate in Uganda who is a social worker.
We have been consistently impressed with Compassion's commitment to integrity and financial stewardship. Friends ask me if the money really goes to help the children, and I can say, "Yes I know that it does." The organization lives up to its mission and vision, and children and families are released from poverty.
We receive several letters a year from our sponsored kids. We can see their progress in school and personal growth, as well as better health. Sponsors can visit their children and projects and see for themselves what Compassion does.
When we give a financial gift to a child (which is a donation in addition to the monthly sponsorship fee), we receive a letter and photo that details how the money was spent on behalf of the child and the family. For example, we gave a family gift to our youngest girl in rural Kenya, and later received a photo of Hannah and her family with the large water cistern and a heifer that was purchased with the gift. The funds from family gifts are used to help improve the income-producing capabilities of the family.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My favorite Compassion program is the Leadership Development Program, or LDP. This sponsorship program allows bright, motivated young leaders from Compassion's projects to attend university. I have been SO impressed with the quality of leadership and service in the LDP students I have met. These students are the future leaders of their communities, and they will truly change their world. They are grateful for the opportunity to learn, and they become powerful advocates for children in poverty.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
create more opportunities for students who graduate from high school through Compassion projects to attend university and college. Compassion has a university scholarship program in place (Leadership Development Program or LDP), but many more sponsors are needed in order to expand this program. So my greatest hope is that individuals and corporations will see the tremendous value of the LDP program and be inspired to support it.
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