1 person found this review helpful
Review from CharityNavigator Compassion International, Inc.
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October 26, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I have been involved with Compassion as a sponsor for 7 years, and recently began work as a volunteer. Compassion is really an impressive organization. It is very focused on its service role, and works hard to serve children around the world. Everything I have seen suggests a very well-run and committed organization.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
October 11, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
We have and do sponsor several children for the past 15 years or so. I love the letters from the children, especially as they grow up and communication grows deeper. A small gift from us can go so far in a third world country. I plan on visiting one or more of our girls in Thailand in a couple years or less hopefully. I also love that I can give a birthday or Christmas gift and all the money goes for special gift just for them bought by a person at the center who knows just what she/he needs. I love to receive the thank you notes and here what they got. As for the person who gave a poor review and said gift had to be sent thru Compassion, I am sure Compassion is protecting the child for many reasons. I have spoken to them via phone about this and they are very good to explain in detail if you would like to know. And the person that wrote the review was incorrect in that if each party agrees to disclose their address they can send gifts directly. We had a girl grow out of the program and got her permission for Compassion to give us her address so we were able to send her a gift directly, so that can be done if both parties are agreeable.
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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?
2012
September 27, 2012
I love Compassion. My sister and I have both visited different Compassion projects in Africa and have been impressed with the care and support they offer in tough & challenging conditions. Have a great amount of respect for the work they do.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Witnessed their programs in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
September 26, 2012
Compassion international discourages any outside contact with a child sponsored through their program. As an American living in Ecuador for a number of years, I was curious when a poor family disclosed to me that they had children in the program. They had a family sponsor that wanted to send some things directly to the family but was told they should send everything through Compassion. I was also told they weren't receiving some things, Shoes, clothing, medical supplies that the organization had received from the sponsor. They don't want anything shared between the sponsor and the child unless they are the go between. I understand sometimes poor people will ask donor sponsors to send money directly to the families and it doesn't reach the child, but I think Compassion goes too farwith the restriction.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Unlikely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Some
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2007
1 person found this review helpful
September 2, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I have been sponsoring a child for over 10 years and taken her from child to adult and I know that she has come to know our lord, Jesus Christ. She has a beautiful spirit and this has been an enriching experience. Sorry for all of the other negative experiences, but when you have an organization as large as this one, there is bound to be some problems. We are only HUMAN, after all. God Bless you all!
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?
2012
August 31, 2012
Don't do it unless you plan on sponsoring forever!! After 10 years sponsoring a child through Compassion I have to say we will not do it again. Our child was set to graduate the program in June and we got notice that he "graduated" then notice that he "left the program" and finally notice that his family was not meeting the expectations of the program. I was going to let this misinformation slide and let my son choose a child to sponsor for his upcoming birthday but then I got a letter in the mail with the following sentence: Please note that if we do not hear from you within 14 days, we will go ahead and begin your sponsorship of this child. Years ago we gave them our bank info since they said ACH saved them money and we wanted to help as much go to the children as we could and now that was coming back to bite us. In the past we had chosen to join with them to help children and now they were making that choice for us. When I called they said it was standard practice - ridiculous.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I probably got 4 letters/packets from them a year soliciting further donations - send that money to the children and stop contributing to waste! A sponsorship should only last until the child leaves the program there should be no auto starting a new child.
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Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What would you tell others about this organization?
They have shady practices. There are plenty of programs out there to help needy children; pick a different one.
June 15, 2012
I have sponsored dozens of kids from different groups since 1970. I loved them all, but when I found Compassion several years ago, I knew it was the group for our family. I love their approach with kids, families and communities, their conscientious stewardship and the attention given to me as a sponsor. Not only would I recommend Compassion, I already have and it worked! Now I have friends who have sponsored children because of my great expreience. Thanks be to God for Compassion’s ministry to these precious children and for the chance to invest in their future.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The communications between us and our children have shown us over and over how much the children grow and flourish because of our donations, but also our personal contact.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If it were a little less exprensive, I could add some more children to my list, but I'm sure they use their money efficiently and effectively.
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?
2012
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
Children are dear to my heart. As a mother and a teacher, I know how hard it is to grow up in ideal situations.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
I also donate to specific programs within the organization, such as contributing to a playground, an arts scholarship, school supplies and Bibles. Often I make these donations in memory or in honor of someone.
What would you tell others about this organization?
Yes, and as I said above, sharing my experiences has prompted others to become sponsors. Now, they are as thrilled as I am.
May 30, 2012
My husband and I have sponsored children through Compassion since 2009, and we could not be happier. We had the opportunity to go meet one of the kids, and see for ourselves how Compassion children development programs work. Wonderful!!!! We are thrilled to be part of something bigger than ourselves. An organization that not only releases children from poverty, but, most importantly leads them to the only one who can release them from eternal death: Jesus Christ.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 8, 2012
My wife have sponsored children for over 35 years and have been impressed with their organization and their integrity. We have sponsored two children for many years, write to each one frequently, and Compassion always keeps us alert to their activities. Wesley Stafford has been to our church (which sponsors over 500 children) and he is certainly above approach. It is difficult to find an organization with a higher rating. Praise the Lord for their Christian emphasis, the most important aspect of Compassion International! Ken Snavely
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?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
May 4, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Both my wife and I have been sponsoring since the early 90s and I have seen this organization slip over the past few years, especially when it comes to their accounting department. We are sponsoring one child and I noticed a duplicate charge on my credit card. I spoke with their support team and they assured me that the matter was fixed but I have yet to see any resolution. While the person on the phone was polite, It's still unresolved, so I will be canceling my account.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Unsure
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011