Sponsoring a third world child

I sponsor a child via Plan. The child I sponsor is in Thailand not the third world but I know you have the option to choose which country to sponsor from.

I have been sponsoring a child via Plan for the past three years. I went with Plan as they are areligious (in fact they were set up by a social worker and a journalist after the Spanish Civil War as both individuals had seen firsthand the damage that the war had left behind and were worried about the impact of the legacy on children), you can get involved across the board should you want to (i.e. should you want to visit 'your' child they will facilitate this) the money is shared out amongst the village so that resentment isn't fostered (although your child will see the direct benefit, of course) and both Plan and your child keep you updated on things.

You have the option to choose gender and location, or just to sponsor any child wherever the need is greatest - I have a little girl in Vietnam and another friend has a little boy in China - so not necessarily third world, but certainly where there is a great need. I would have thought there will be a lot from Sri Lanka currently? Lovely idea btw.

I used to sponsor a litlle boy who lived in Peru. I think it was through world vision.

I took over my great aunt's sponsored child after she died, that was through World Vision and he lived in Malawi. I might not have chosen World Vision myself because of the religious aspect but the communication I had from the child was good and I was able to contact them pretty easily too.

What a lovely idea.

I know actionaid does it too

I sponsored children through Action Aid & World Vision & both were very helpful. I even went out to visit both & were shown how the money gets used amongst the whole village. Its a lovely idea for a new born, it'll help forge great links (something I wasn't too good at doing).

We sponsor a number of children through Plan in various parts of the world, and some orphans through Butterfly Trust

I sponsor a child through world vision, and I don't think they contact you anymore than any other similar charity do. They do try and involve you, so that you're not just handing over money, but I wouldn't have thought that was a bad thing.

And as for the fact that World Vision is a Christian charity, I've never found that they ram that down my throat either. I'd definitely recommend them, they do good stuff.

We sponsor a little girl in Bangladesh through Action Aid. I think we pay £15 per month.

I have sponsored 2 children through Plan for almost 20 years now (since I first started earning)

One went from toddlerdom (4) to graduation aged 18, whcih was lovely to be part of.
Plan I like because they have no religious or political affiliation.

Thanks all, some really useful information and advice.

Think I'm going to go with Plan as they cover SE Asia and my sister was originally adopted in Singapore so a nice link. Sri Lanka is a good idea too with all their recent traumas.

Hitched is fab again!