I have been sponsoring a little girl named Tsehay through World Vision for about 5 years. She is 10 years old and lives in rural Ethiopia with her parents and 2 younger brothers, Hailu and Abdisa. I don't know if I should continue my sponsorship...
Why I want to cancel: World Vision is a huge organization. I don't feel much connection to them, especially now that I have worked with so many grassroots organizations that are in such great need. I donate 10% of my income every month. $35 of this goes to World Vision. There are 3 causes that I am desperately trying to fundraise for who could so badly use this money. In all cases of those 3, 100% of the funds go directly to the projects, where with World Vision, 19% goes to administration (salaries, advertising, etc.) Only 81% goes to the projects, and even then I am not really entirely sure what the projects are in Tsehay's community and how she benefits from them. I feel like that $35/month could go so much further if put in one of the three projects I am working on (CUS, SCH, Education Fund). I don't feel like my money really makes a difference one way or another with World Vision, I don't know enough about what is being done with it, and I don't like the high admin rate.Why I don't want to cancel: I have been sponsoring Tsehay for 5 years. Child sponsorship is something I had wanted to do for so many years, and I can remember fighting with my parents about it and them telling me no. At the time (I was in high school) I was mentoring a little girl through a Big Sister program, and together we made and sold bracelets and funded her sponsorship. We were even interviewed for the paper, and it was a huge source of excitment and pride for me at the time. I remember SO looking forward to getting letters from her, writing letters, picking out gifts to send, etc.
Then, in 2009, I planned a trip to Ethiopia with the main reason being that I wanted to meet Tsehay. I spent the day with World Vision, went to her house, met her family, and took her, her brother Hailu, and her grandfather out for lunch. It was a moment I won't ever forget and it meant SO much to me to be able to meet her. THIS POST is the one I wrote when I went to meet her, if you want to read about it. At the time I raved about World Vision, but I knew very little about interntional development at that time. I didn't ask any questions, think critically about what they were telling me, etc. It is almost embarasing reading that Ethiopia blog now and seeing how much my thoughts have changed on things like gift giving, giving to beggars, sustainability (I doubt I even knew that word then!) Anyways...I still look forward to getting new pictures of Tsehay and I always gush and show everyone when I get one. I have watched her grow, and have those incredible memories of meeting her, and that makes it difficult for me to even think about cancelling that sponsorship.
So, what to do?
I want to be smart with my money. I want it to go somewhere that will really make a difference. And yet I also don't know... that could be the case with World Vision, and I would feel sad giving up my sponsorship of Tsehay after so many years. I am torn!! Thoughts??
4 comments:
Hi Nikki-
Just wanted to say I am enjoying reading your blog, especially the recap of your Uganda trip (I sponsor Nantugoza Molly, P. 6, at the CU School).
I had a similar dilemma with World Vision. I sponsored a little girl there for a few years, but felt no real connection to the organization and never felt like I was really making a difference. I ended up cancelling my sponsorship, but I still sponsor 2 other kids from another similarly large organization, Children International. I've decided to sponsor those two for as long as they are in the program, and then not take on new kids with CI. (This is still a chunk of time though, assuming they stay in until they're 19).
At any rate, good luck with your decision. I would say if you are still excited to get Tsehay's letters, then that's a good sign you still feel you are making a difference. You could always call WV and ask what specific programs are benefitting her, as well as any other questions you would now ask if you were to visit. That might help a bit.
Still, I know it's hard; there are so many worthy causes and so little extra income... (:
Best,
Courtenay
Hi Courtenay,
First of all- Molly is hilarious. Such a great kid. Not sure if Kate has shown you her page on the website, but you can find it here: http://cus-primary6.blogspot.com/p/natugouza-molly.html
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I have gotten a few emails with great advice, and at this point I am leaning towards cancelling, but still not positive. I am giving myself a week to decide!
Regardless of what you decide, and you face a difficult decision, know that you did impact Tsehay's life, and vice versa, by sponsoring her for five years and visiting her.
That being said, I'd listen to my instincts in your position and put the money where I can see the most direct impact.
Hi Nikki,
My name is Liz, and I'm with World Vision Canada. Your blog came up in our World Vision google alerts search and I just wanted to ask if there is anything I can do to help?
Feel free to get in touch:
elizabeth_donnery@worldvision.ca
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