('23) IC: World Vision Organization is a worthy organization that focuses on children who are experiencing poverty on almost any level one can imagine ✓Aid is given to children of any background ✓This organization is inspired by their Christian Faith. ✓Children are sponsored. ✓ They lend a helping hand in crisis. ✓They teach about nutrition. ✓Economic Development ✓Giving clean water to the needy ✓Donations can be claimed on your taxes. I would recommend this cause to everyone.

For the past 10 years I've sponsored a little girl in Haiti through World Vision. When I initially signed up, I was given to understand that I could mail presents, that I would get a photo of her with the presents I sent, that I would be able to email her and get replies, and that I would continue to sponsor her until she was 18. I joined because I wanted the personal relationship this seemed to promise. At first I got photos of her with the gifts I sent her, but soon I didn't get photos unless I sent monetary gifts. No photos were provided with the packages I sent through the mail. A couple of years ago they changed her address without informing me. I had made pre-printed address labels, so didn't realize the presents were going to the wrong address until one of my gifts was returned in the mail a year later. I don't know what happened to the other gifts. I sent more packages to the correct address over a year ago, but got no response. This week I suddenly got an email that said my child's community has "graduated". They included a film that showed the community has clean water, some sanitary facilities and a play area, but not a lot else. I know my child went to school, but don't know if the school will continue, what the children have been learning, or what sort of medical care they may receive in the future. There used to be an email where I could write with questions or complaints, but now I can't find it in their emails or on their site. They provide a phone number, so I called it and waited on hold. I spoke to an overly chatty but rather glib man who told me my child didn't receive the last few packages I sent, that I should've called sooner, and that they are not responsible for the mail in Nicaragua. (I reminded him that my child is in Haiti.) I went to a lot of trouble to mail these things and am so disappointed. He told me I can send her a final email, but no further letters, monetary gifts or packages. I am really disappointed that this was done with no prior notice. My sponsored child is only 12. I had purchased other gifts to send her and now don't know what to do with them. This is too abrupt. I feel that World Vision has abandoned both my sponsored child and myself without sufficient advance notice or information. I also learned that they've already ended the monthly donation to my sponsored child and transferred it to another child in a different country without my permission. This was not clear in the emails they sent me. I told them to stop the donation as I don't want to repeat this experience. It's probably a better use of funds just to donate to a charity that provides food, education or healthcare without promising a "personal connection." Your money will be better spent, and you and your sponsored child won't wind up feeling abandoned.

I have a supported World Vision for many years. They do great work in the USA and in many countries. Being a sponsor is a great experience. It's very rewarding.