Unbound

I was a sponsor since 2017, and sponsored multiple chiildren at the same time. When Covid occurred, my family had four deaths almost all at the same time. We had to end our sponsorships, but were told it was "okay" and we could come back at any time. Six months later I attempted to sponsor one person (not the five I was sponsoring before) and I received a call from a very rude woman named Amy saying I was too risky and irresponsible to sponsor so they weren't going to let me be a sponsor anymore. I spent a lot of money on my sponsorships, even as far as sending them extra money on birthdays and traveling to the country my first sponsor child lived in through a awareness trip. This was just not okay.

I became an UnBound sponsor in 2018 after a presentation given by a visiting priest at my Parish telling us about the work of UnBound. I hesitated at first because it seemed like a big commitment and I was unsure how it would work out. However, once I saw a photo of a precious little Colombian girl aged 5 I knew I had to give it a try. Today I sponsor a total of seven UnBound children in Colombian and it is the best thing I have ever done. I love to receive their letters and photos and enjoy corresponding with them very much. Once travel restrictions lift I hope to meet them all via an UnBound Sponsor trip!

I have been a sponsor through Unbound for 30 years. I have visited my sponsored children and elderly several times and know first hand how much the sponsored child or elder benefits from our help. The Unbound organization is very well run and has an outstanding record of work in communities. My first sponsorship 30 years ago was a two year old boy in Guatemala. I met him in person when he was four years old. I was able to sponsor him throughout elementary school, high school and one year of teachers training. After completing teachers school he went to work in a remote village where there was no running water and no electricity because he “wanted to make a difference”. While teaching he commuted 5 hours one way on weekends to Guatemala City where he attended the University. He is interested in going into public service after he gets his law degree so he “can continue to make a difference, but on a national level“. When he was 28 I saw him again. Tall, well educated, sincere, caring, thoughtful, a delight to know. The most significant thing he ever said to me was “thanks to you I didn’t have to go to bed hungry very often”. Our few dollars go so far and do so much for these very poor. Who can live with the thought that a child cries himself or herself to sleep because they are hungry?

I have sponsored children in Guatemala through Unbound for 20+ years. I can't put into words how rewarding this experience has been. Not only have I made personal connections with families in another country and culture, but I have learned so much about their world and their lives. There is no doubt in my mind that Unbound has taken the right approach in allowing families and communities to make some of their own decisions in how to use the aid they receive, thus empowering them to improve their lives in the most meaningful way. The opportunities provided to visit sponsored communities are a real blessing to those who can take advantage of them. Unbound has made a real positive difference in so many lives. I have no hesitation in continuing to support this wonderful vibrant organization.

We enjoy learning about our sponsored girl's progress over the last decade and praise the inclusion of Elders as well as additional countries in Unbound.
Join, sponsor - the world will be a better place and you will feel blessed!

I have been a donor for many years to a mature lady raising a family in Guatemala. She is an inspiration, writing encouraging and gratuitous letters regularly, even though I have been somewhat lacking in my letter writing.

Unbound is life-changing for both the people it helps and the people who are sponsors. We got to know our first sponsored child through letters when she was just 5 years old. So many letters and annual photos. 15 years later she earned an associates degree in nursing and we received our last letter from her. She had "graduated" from the Unbound program. She thanked us for our support and we wept. Two more girls have entered our hearts through the Unbound program and we look forward to their graduations as well. There will be smiles and tears.

My family began sponsoring when I was 10 years old, and here I am 27 years later still sponsoring. I love the way Unbound approaches eradicating poverty. They give decision-making power to and respect the dignity of the families in the program. Personally knowing my sponsored friends, learning about them through letters and photos and trips to where they live, makes it all feel so real. And with 92% of expenses going to program support, I know my contributions are going where they are needed most.

I have sponsored children through Unbound for nearly 30 years. I love all the children whom I have sponsored. The program is very frugal with their money. They are very good about keeping me informed of my sponsored child. I hear from my sponsored child several times a year, and get a yearly photo. They are very good stewards of their money. I highly recommend them.

Unbound continues to impress me even after sponsoring for over 10 years. I've now visited my sponsored child 3 times and have been able to see in person that Unbound is a progressive, empowering and value-oriented organization. I feel confident encouraging my friends, family and local church to sponsor too!

We have been sponsoring several people over the years and it is very gratifying to see our sponsored partners grow and be educated and see the role the mothers play in supporting each other. We feel gratified to see the community enriched by Unbound's organization and the decision-making left to the local groups. We feel blessed to be part of the process.

My initial child lead to a mission trip where I learned all the good this organization does. I love the fact I can communicate with the sponsored person. I have both children, teens and adults and have taken two mission trips where I learned how lives are so vastly improved by our donations. We often complain we don’t know how to improve the life of others but education for the youth and supplemental support in food and events for the elderly. UNBOUND is FANTASTIC about both. I learned from a stranger who delivered food staples to elderly each month and told me how blessed they were. He was a tour guide on a side trip on a cruise I took. It was nice to hear how wonderful UNBOUND is. I have no trouble supporting this agency.

I sponsored a child for a couple years but ultimately stopped my sponsorship. My issues were with communication. Sending letters back and forth with the child took months. If, for instance, she sent me a letter in January talking about Christmas, I would receive the letter in maybe April. She would receive my return letter to her in late summer. You can only communicate a couple times per year at that rate. In the 21st Century, with email and all other modes of communication, that seems desperately wrong. In addition, I never had clarity on where my money was going. My understanding is the $40+ I sent every month paid for the school and allowed the family to purchase very small items like a dish drainer. I could be wrong; I simply don't know.

I have worked in human services and fundraising myself for 15+ years and can say firmly that Unbound operates like a very poorly-run charity in the 1980s. They really need to get with the program - update their services, enter the 21st century, and communicate with their donors transparently.

We have been sponsors for about 20 years and sponsored 2 children. We enjoyed sharing our resources and communicating with the children. The reason for the rating is that the organization states their Core Values but doesn't honor them. In particular our concern is with honesty and transparency. Rather than allow sponsors to be honest and transparent in communication, they shut down anything that is not politically correct in their estimation. That is not being honest and transparent. We cannot support a "Christian" organization that does not honor its core values. We regret to resign as sponsors after so many years, but we cannot support their behavior.

In 1995, my husband and I started sponsoring a little boy named Kevin. Throughout the years, we corresponded back and forth and then the correspondence stopped. He would have been about 18 years old at this time. I called to inquire about it and was told that he left the program to help his father. Recently, I found Kevin on Facebook and began communicating with him. He said that CFCA kicked him out of the program because he couldn't afford transportation to the programs, that there was some trouble with the local promoter (Mario) and he was 15 when all this happened. I'm curious as to why CFCA wouldn't have provided transportation and why CFCA would continue taking my money for 3 years after my sponsored child was booted out of the program. I think there could be trouble at the local level and I think this should be investigated. According to my calculations, CFCA/Unbound owes Kevin $1200. I hope they make it right.

It is hard to put into words the fulfillment I get as a sponsor with Unbound. It is an amazing organization that is a true example of how God’s love works. I am excited for the day I get to meet those that I am sponsoring, one for going on 10years!

I am a youth in Uganda who completed my A level now going to University but the fees is a problem ,Please help me because I may sit home this year.
Thank you

Unbound is like no other nonprofit organization that my family has ever supported. You can see and read about either a child or a senior from all over the world. My family chose First a young girl in Nicaragua and when she became an adult we chose a young boy from there. We have learned so much corresponding with them over the years. Unbound does an amazing job with coordinating activities, education and funding. We are blessed to be a part of it and even when times were tough over the years, we made sure to always provide this support. It is truly the least we can do for our brothers and sisters striving to live around the globe.

I can't say thank you enough to unbound (before CFCA) and to my sponsor, I wish I could say how thankful I and my family to you in person. From 2006 till 2013, thank you for all the learnings and experience. I will always be grateful to be part of this organization. More power Unbound

I have been sponsoring since 2010, and now have 4 children that I sponsor in Kenya and Uganda. I have also taken 2 mission awareness trips to Guatemala and Kenya & Uganda. I have never had any issues, and am most impressed with the percentage of money that goes directly towards helping the children and elders. (This includes the compensation of upper management). I receive letters from my children throughout the year, as well as updated pictures. I would sponsor more through Unbound if I had the means. I am fully confident in their model of support, and that everyone has the best interest of the children and elders at heart.

My children and I sponsor an elderly woman in Madagascar and two children in Mexico. Unbound has given me the opportunity to involve my kids in not only learning about other cultures, but the invaluable opportunity to actively participate in giving back. We are all excited to receive letters from our family across the country. And it is truly a gift for us to be able to help other families when they need it most. Unbound shared with me that our sponsorship of one child came exactly when it was needed. The father of the young child was about to go find more work while he was sick to provide milk and other essentials for his young child. A bag of food showed up that day as a result of our sponsorship. This was shared with me by an Unbound employee. One little boy refers to us as his angels because he knows that we help him, but he can't see us. The gift is truly ours. We get back more than what we are giving. Unbound is well run with caring people and I would recommend it to anyone without hesitation.

We love being part of Unbound!
It has been a part of our family for many years. Each of our children have a sponsored friend, as do my husband and I. Unbound is an awesome organization. They are so caring and helpful! Communication with our sponsored friends is easy and convenient. Unbound helps so much! We feel like we are making a difference thanks to Unbound.

I was a beneficiary of the unbound group from my pre-school all the way to my college.Through the unbound benefits we were able to put food on our table ,Dress well and attend school like other children of our age then.I did well in highschool and got a scholarship to take me through college.
Today i can attest that i am a certified Banker and financial analyst all thanks to cfca/unbound kenya.

Early this year, I had the opportunity to take an awareness trip to Guatemala to meet my mom’s sponsored friend. We spent a week visiting local communities and learning about the work that Unbound is doing. I was so inspired by the children we met who were both shy and curious and quiet and outspoken. At one lunch, a young scholar student gave a speech about how Unbound had contributed to his studies and his ultimate goal of attending a four year university. We had the opportunity to share meals and converse and interact with the families. I admire that Unbound has centered the work of the mothers through CODIs, providing accountability and accessibility for the sponsored members and their families. I respect that the Unbound staff was incredibly transparent with their allocation of funding, as well as welcoming feedback to improve the business model. The experience was so positive and inspiring, that I decided to sponsor a child myself. I was even able to meet my sponsored friend on the last day of our trip, as he and his mother were not far from the city we were in. Unbound is an incredible organization that focuses on preserving the autonomy of its sponsored members and their families. I highly recommend this organization.

I sponsor two wonderful people in El Salvador and had the opportunity last year to visit and see first hand how amazing this organization is. The ability to make a difference in people's lives and their whole communities is incredible to see.
They're efficient, loving and supportive.

I had really never heard of the organization until my aging mother told me about a "brother" that I had. I was intrigued and started to question her, thinking she must have dementia. It turns out that she had been sponsoring a young man in India for many years. My siblings and I had no idea! She began to share his letters and photos and we thought it was wonderful. She lived on a small, fixed income, but she faithfully donated to his education and his family. When she passed away a few years ago, as the oldest daughter, I was in charge of settling her affairs. I couldn't decide what to do about her "other son." I contacted the organization, explained the situation and asked if I could take over for my mom. I knew she would like that and she would have wanted me to do it. I supported that young man, and now I support a young girl in the Phillipines. I am thrilled to be associated with such a wonderful organization. Now when my siblings tell me I'm turning into my mother, I just smile and say "thanks."

My Unbound sponsorship began with a four year old girl in Western Honduras. She is now 20 and studying law. I have been providing her and her family support all these years. Now I provide a scholarship.

Women in villages in Honduras and elsewhere have no role models and their lives are programmed. Many end up pregnant too soon and in toxic relationships. A dead end life. What Unbound provides can’t be measured, really. The chance to work hard and get something in return.

These are fragile communities that are at the edge of society and vulnerable to corrupt governments, illness, and the ravages of nature.

I’ve gone three times to Honduras to spend time with my sponsored friend, her family, and her great supporters the Unbound staff. Because of Unbound she has a vision for herself, she is confident, and may achieve greatness.

It’s not often that an organization like Unbound gives you the opportunity to change a life. It sure changed mine.

It's difficult to summarize how much I adore and appreciate Unbound. I began sponsoring children through their program when I was 18 and have continued to do so for 11 years. The method in which Unbound facilitates communication between sponsors and their sponsees helps both parties learn about each others' lives in a safe, welcoming, and very real way that has opened my eyes to the realities of other countries and helped broaden my perspective of the world. I gain a sense of fulfillment through donating to Unbound since I know my money will have a long-lasting and strong impact with this organization. I'm happy to have contributed to the growth of such a well-orchestrated organization and could not recommend them enough.

Our family learned about Unbound during a presentation by a couple involved with the Charity after Church.

We sponsor 2 children. The 2 children are of similar age of our 2 oldest kids. It has been fun to learn about them, their families, and to see them grow. Unbound also supports seniors, which helps poor seniors as they age.

Unbound makes it easy to write letter online. They provide translated letters from the sponsor children and or families - depending on the age of the child being sponsored. We've also received pictures, which are fun to get.

Unbound keeps cost low to deliver 93+% of donations to the families. I am impressed with their philosophy to empower the families in directing the money to how it is most impactful. They promote education and betterment of the community. They are making a difference and helping promote a greater understanding of one another.

i look forward to supporting this charity for many more years. If you haven't, please consider supporting Unbound's mission.

Thanks,
Joe

I've been an Unbound supporter and donor since 2017 when I heard a missionary priest in church talk about this wonderful program that helps give poor children and elderly the chance at a better life through financial support and encouragement. Having no children myself, I felt called, and after Mass I went over to the table and saw pictures of all the beautiful children. I tell you it was not easy choosing just one, but it's all I could do. And so I sponsored my first child, from Colombia, and we have been writing back and forth every since. I enjoy receiving pictures of him every year and seeing how he is growing up. It gives me much joy to know I can do a little something to give a child a better life. May God bless all the poor children around the world. Thank you Unbound for all the good you do, God bless you!

I have been an Unbound sponsor for 12 years. I travelled to 5 countries with Unbound's mission awareness week to meet my Unbound friends.
What a wonderful experience. The local Unbound staff works with our sponsored friends to see that our contributions are wisely spent. Each sponsored person was delightful and grateful for the financial.and moral support.
UNBOUND IS THE BEST.
Diane
Clearwater Fl

I have been a sponsor for more than 30 years and a volunteer for more than 10 years. It has been an honor to sponsor friends from Chile, Honduras, Nicaragua, Rep. Dominicana & Perú. It was very rewarding experience to visit twice my friends in Nicaragua and to visit the Unbound headquarters in Kansas to meet many of their employees and volunteers.

My second niece Bridgette has the most beautiful heart. It's because of her that I befriended Elizabeth from Ecuador through Unbound about six years ago.

When I lived closer, I used to go to the same parish as Bridgette, my older sister and her family. One day at Mass, a priest from Unbound was speaking of the children and elders needing help. Bridgette and I were looking at the photos after Mass and she asked me if I would let her help me pick out "my child." (How can you say "no" to a sweet then eight-year-old niece? I've never learned how :-)).

Bridgee thought Elizabeth was a good fit for me because we both had brown eyes and hair, she has the same middle name as her big sis/my goddaughter and she (Bridgee) and Elizabeth are about the same age.

It's been almost six years ago now since I've befriended Elizabeth and it's been such a blessing to exchange letters and photos with her, watch her grow up and succeed, and help her and her family through Unbound. Fellow aunts, be sure to listen to those wise nieces in your lives, especially those with big hearts like Bridgette's :-)

We have been sponsors with Unbound for more than 20 years. This incredible organization has enabled us to truly make a difference and to follow our sponsored child from toddlerhood to adulthood. After our sponsored child graduated from the program, we chose to sponsor another young girl and an elder.

Our family has been blessed to sponsor with Unbound since 2015. We sponsor a child in the Philippines and an elder in India. Additionally, I have traveled on three Sponsor Awareness trips with Unbound to see their work firsthand. I can't say enough not only about the character and excellence of Unbound in their shepherding of our donated resources, but also about their role in helping our family come into closer relationship and solidarity with other families around the world. Highly recommend!

We have sponsored a child in Guatemala for the past 10 years. She is now 16 and studying to be a teacher. We receive letters and photos regularly and she is always so grateful. It warms our hearts to see her grow and know that we are a part of her journey. Unbound has been excellent in keeping us posted when events affect her country and program. This is a very worthwhile charity that works directly in the communities to strengthen families, support mothers, and educate children.

I have been sponsoring my child for about ten years now. It has been wonderful to watch this young, tentative boy grow into a confident, well rounded young man. I am so happy that I have been able to help him on his journey to responsible adulthood.
I love getting letters from him and hearing how he is doing in school and how he helps his family. Getting pictures of him as he has grown is an extra bonus!
I'm glad that I listened to the Holy Spirit as he guided me to make a difference in the world, one child at a time.

Fabulous charity. We have sponsored a young man Milton from El Salvador for 16 years. He was 3 years old when we started our relationship with him. We regularly received letters & he us studying to be a policeman. We love him & feel so proud of him.

I have been helping a young girl from the Philippines for three years. Her mother writes letters and sends photos of her daughter, and she can pay for her daughter's schooling with my monthly donation. I first heard of Unbound through a retired priest who came to tell the parish about it three years ago. I was impressed with their record of very low overhead. Many who work for it are volunteers. Almost all the money goes to the beneficiaries.

Unbound has enabled us to help out a little girl in Guatemala who has a lot of promise to grow up and improve her life and many others.

The personal connection between the elderly person and her family and me, the Unbound sponsor, is unlike any other charitable endeavour - it's so positive and definitely a two way benefit. I love that I'm not just sending money.

Best value in eloping keep families together by helping a child and the family.
Very little wasted money. No glam no glitz, just serious people who know how to get things done.
Rules can make it tough for children and family to stay in program, but maybe we need a world with more rules, less anything goes.
Efficient, noble and excellent follow up.
If you save just one child, together we can save the world..

I have been a sponsor for close to 14 years and at present have 3 children that I sponsor. I love this organization and i know the funds are well managed. I have been on a couple of mission trips with them and have seen first hand all the good that these caring people do. I like that they allow the sponsored families to make decisions on where they can best use their sponsors funds. I have received letters from my sponsored children who comment on how wonderful they are treated by the staff.

I have watched my sponsored child grow up, hear about her trials in school and in life and hear about the hope, preparation and optimism her and other sponsored children get from being in the program. We exchange letters and pictures. It's a great program.

When this organization was the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) under the founder, it was 100% for the poor. It was established by the founder at least 40 years ago and the employees were there for years. They all were devoted to the cause. Once the founder passed away, Unbound took over and is claiming to operate the way the founder did. Unbound has raised the prices of sponsorship of the children and is giving less in benefits. The previous staff fought these changes and word got out to sponsors. Sponsors confronted Unbound and they claimed the staff misunderstood due to language differences. A year later the staff was fired or threatened of being fired for not conforming. Eventually the staff quit or got fired one being a previous catholic priest. The founder used to take all children for an annual outing, that benefit was removed. The founder delivered bags of food which included beans, rice, coffee, tuna, milk, cookies....(we helped pack them). Now Unbound gives them a debit card telling sponsors the families can buy what they need making it sound like it is a better benefit, but according to the sponsored family we had, it was nothing. The founder allowed sponsors to send gifts to their sponsored child. Unbound cut that benefit saying sponsors were sending to large of packages . We believe it was to save on overhead and staff. The previous staff says Unbound had them living in fear. The sponsored families say they have them living in fear. The new name should be Bound not Unbound.

What an incredible organization to be a part of! This has given me the chance to be a part of a young girl's life for many years now whom I may never actually meet face to face, but it has been a blessing to be a part of her life journey!

Iam a widow,Iam the chairlady of a widows group by name starlight widows and orphans support group.Iam kenya kisumu city.Iam really intrested in this organization.keep it up. Thanks

I am absolutely delighted at what I see as a well-run and well-structured nonprofit. It is my pleasure to be a participant in their charitable works and I hope to be able to continue on for many years.

We have sponsored several children since 2000, and currently have 3 in Colombia. As we finish our awareness trip, we realize the incredible work that Unbound continues to do, and saw firsthand the impact it has had on our boys. Being able to receive letters and pictures from our boys has meant a lot...seeing them and holding them for the first time brings the reality of their lives into focus for us. We highly recommend taking an awareness trip with Unbound. Your lives and worldview will change!

We have been sponsors for over 7 years. Recently, we added another child to our sponsorship, allowing our 7 year old to choose her and make her a lifetime penpal. We are so blessed by Unbound and the connections it's allowed us to have with special children all over the world. We know that the lives of those families are equally blessed as well. We pray this charity can grow exponentially and increase it's impact each and every year.

I have been a sponsor for 10+ years and Unbound does incredible work. I have loved getting know my sponsored friends through letter writing, but have also had the opportunity to meet them by going on mission awareness trips to Honduras and Kenya. Sponsorship really does change their life as I was able to see firsthand! The in-country Unbound staff does a wonderful job working with sponsored friends in the country and making sure they receive the support they need to make life changing decisions with their sponsorship benefits. I cannot recommend this organization enough!

Our family has been sponsoring different children, young adults and an aged individual for about 15 years or more. It has been very gratifying for our family to learn about different cultures around the world. Unbound makes it very easy to sponsor and transition to another individual when they leave the program or for whatever reason. We feel our sponsorship dollars are well spent and are used for the many needs of our sponsored individuals.

I have sponsored a young woman from Kenya, through Unbound, and have watched her grow from a young 7year old to sweet 16. I have learned about her country, her family and of course her beautiful self. We communicate through email on the Unbound website and it warms my heart and fills me with gratitude when I see how my sponsorship has helped her, her family and her community. Thank you Unbound for your caring, creativity and integrity. I am proud to be a part of you.

We have been sponsors of a few different children for over 20 years with Unbound and are continually impressed with their efficient operation and the many hours that volunteers put in to make this great program work. It is a wonderful charity and helps us to help people we would never know how to reach otherwise. We have loved getting to know our sponsored children through their letters.

The most important reason I donate to Unbound is that I really believe in putting the 'receivers' to work with my money. (We should try this in the US...).

We have sponsored multiple children through Unbound for over 33 years. We believe in their model of helping families, allowing them to make choices that they believe best as they break through the cycle of poverty. We appreciate the emphasis on education and support for the entire family. Unbound has worked with us so that we could help three of our sponsored children continue their education post high school. Unbound is a fantastic program that is transparent with their financials and we continue to be amazed at how much they accomplish with the sponsorship amounts that they receive.

We have been sponsors for almost 17 years now. We have sponsored young children, teens and elders. We are currently sponsoring a boy in India who will be turning 12 this year; a young woman in the Philippines who will turn 20; and an older woman in the Philippines who will be 72 years young. We look forward to receiving their letters. It is amazing to see the growth in them with each letter they write. They grow in confidence, their health improves and their happiness also improves. They are filled with gratitude and love. We wouldn't miss it for the world!

Incredible organization! I have four sponsored children from Unbound. I love that we are able to communicate through letter and really get to know the children as well as provide mental support. Also I receive pictures for my sponsored children and get to know how much they have grown. Constant communication allows us to connect and build a relationship. Although I have never met them, we still build a bond. Unbound also host awareness trip which sponsors and sponsored children actually get to meet in person.

I've sponsored 3 children through Unbound and really feel I make a difference. I love the letters and pictures that each one sends and feel a real connection. I know they each enjoy my letters too. Definitely recommend Unbound.