My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been involved with Plan since 1987. I use to wonder whether or not my letters actually got to the child I helped support (call me a cynic). I supported the same child from approx. age 5 until he became an adult and was no longer eligible. I felt bad because it was so sudden and wanted to know what would become of him. Then about 2 years later I received a friend request on facebook. Given the amount of time that had lapsed, I didnt at first recognize Jorge as he had changed so much. When I asked who this was, he sent me back another photo of himself sitting on a rock, next to all the letters and photos I sent him over the years. It was nothing less than astounding & heartwrenching. We have kept in contact ever since. I continue to sponsor other children and proud to do so.

I have been involved with Pan Int. since 1987. After loosing the first sponsor child to an illness, my sponsor child was little boy named Jorge form the Honduras. We corresponded back and fourth for years. I sent him pictures of me and my friends & family, the vacations I went on, and whatever else was going on in my life. But I must admit, the cynic in me always questioned whether the boy I was writing to was always the same one replying to me. It seemed so unlikely that for almost 14 years with all the thousands of children that Plan assists all over the world would be able to actually forward all my letter & pictures, and makes sure the same boy replies with his thanks and life experiences. Then one day I received a letter from Jorge letting me know he was no longer eligible to receive assistance as he was now an adult and therefore I would not longer be able to correspond through Plan. I was sad. But I realized that I would be able to help another child and that was fine as well. Years past. One day I received a friend request. on Facebook from a young man named Jorge. Because of how many years had past I didnt recognize the young man in the picture. I replied "who is this"? He not only replied with his full name, location and pictures of himself, but with a single picture of every photo I had ever sent to him, layed out one next to the other. I was dumbfounded. It was very emotional for both of us. And then a few weeks later he called me on FaceTime. And although he did not speak any English, Jorge introduced me to his family and friends as they sat around in the same modest dwelling he had sent me pictures of many years ago. He did his best to wipe the tears from his face as he smiled and showed me around. It was to say the least one of the most emotionally intense moments of which I will never forget.
Jorge and I now communicate through what's app. We are now good friends and hopefully will be able to meet face to face some day.
For anyone who questions as I did, whether the letters they write, the pictures they send and letters they receive actually go to (and are from) their sponsor child, let my experience serve as proof, they most certainly do.
All of this means your monthly donation not only REALLY does change & benefit the life of a specific child, but also that the time you spent corresponding and sharing your life with that child in need, is REAL. And that is just as important. To both of you.
Brian Back/Boston MA