Compassion/World Vision sponsorship gift question?

Question

I'm debating on sponsoring a child from either Compassion or World vision. What i was wondering is has anyone sponsored a child from either and can you send gifts that are not paper flat products just as long as u make the envelope flat? I didn't know if it was the gift itself that they don't allow or the fact that usually they don't fit into the size requirements. For example compassion says 1/8 thick. I can iron the heck out of a small shirt and fit it in there. Would they accept that? And if i provide shipping and stamps can i correspond with my kid more and have them write me back more often? Just a few things im wondering before making my decision.

Answer 1

Having visited lots of poverty stricken countries I realised how hard it would be for any organisation to deliver gifts sent from supporters,  there are no mail systems to remote areas and it would incur huge costs and and resources to deliver these gifts, therefore increasing admin costs to the org.  The best gift you could ever give to a child living in poverty is to change the environment they live in, world vision addresses the most urgent needs of a community whether that be lack of water or education etc.  Every kid loves gifts but if your family doesn't have access to food, you go hungry.. ... I know which I'd rather have.  hope this helps

Answer 2

I would try a smaller organization that goesn't have as many overhead/administrative costs.

You can email Mathias Zimba at Rising Fountains Development Program in Zambia. He allows you to send gifts to the child you sponsor and they are wonderful there.

www.risingfountains.org

Answer 3

First, your money isn't just going for one kid, it goes to the whole village, and that's with all of the organizations.  I don't think they want people sending anything besides letters, mainly because of the fact that this is really not for any one kid, and they want to be sure that when they give clothing or whatever, that everyone gets something similar so that no one feels slighted or left out.  The child you sponsor may not have the ability to correspond more often, and I don't think there would be any way to give them the postage anyway.  Besides which, you would have to supply postage that from their country in order for that to happen.  I've never heard of Compassion, but World Vision is pretty reputable.