Plan international

[george]

I have had many good vacations in the DR, I thought that I could give "something back" to the country, by sponsoring a child in the DR. Can anyone tell me if the charity Plan International do a valuable Job, or would I be better donating to another charity. Any advice or guidance would be most welcolme.

 

[Tom]

Children International

George:

I am very satisfied with CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL and the child I sponsor in santo domingo. CI will set up a visit with a caseworker and interpreter when you visit the DR

Tom

 

[Dee DeMusis]

Re: Children International

HI George and Tom--

Just to let you know that I, too, sponsor two little girls through Children International [in Santiago]. This organization does such a superlative job and you can do MORE because their sponsorship is only $12/month per child-- I can give back to TWO children through CI instead of only one through most of the others.

I heard about CI through friends from Massachusetts. A large part of their sponsorship money comes from collecting returnable cans and bottles[Note: they do it on a large scale thhrough corporate donation of cans/bottles as well as the ones they personally collect.]

I used to spend that much on magazines and "frills" and then I realized that I could be a better steward of my money by doing this. I came off a prolonged period of being without work and being on New York City public assistance; also, I spent time in the DR "in the trenches" and KNEW it was time to give back. In addition, my mother passed away in August and the sponsorship of Katerin and Yenifer is an excellent way to honor Mom's memory.

Good job, guys!

 

[HERB]

Re: Children International

Hi
This Children International sounds like a promising program. I have heard some unfavorable reports on some charties that keep a good amount of money donated to pay the people who distribute the moneies. Can some one give me the address for this organization or the web address. Thank you

 

[Jo Anne]

Re: Children International

I, too sponsor a child through CI and have no complaints whatsoever. I went to visit my child almost one year ago to see if the program was valid and to see this wonderful child. I asked his father directly what he thought of the program and the benefits that his children receive. He told me that the program enables him to focus on other areas of need since his three children receive the necessary items through sponsorship. When I saw that my child had received every gift and every letter that I had sent, I felt so relieved that the organization was on the up and up. If you have any other questions, e-mail me. My guide/translator was fabulous (Miguel) as was the social worker in Mao, Fermina. Wonderful people and a wonderful organization, in my opinion.

 

[Jo Anne]

Re: Children International

Children International
P.O. Box 419055, Kansas City, MO 64141
800.888.3089
www.children.org

 

[Dave]

We have worked with Plan International (primarily the "Azua"/S.W. area branch)over the past 6 years and have found them to be exceptional in all areas. We will continue to donate to this group in the future as well!

Best, Dave

 

[Allie]

I am also sponsoring a child in Santo Domingo through Children International. One of the websites that I found that rates charities and organizations gave Children Int'l an "A" rating.

 

[Sarah]

Email me direct if you're looking for more suggestions.

 

[Tom F.]

Is it similiar to Save the Children

I wanted to give a FYI to how Save the Children works. They also have you sponsor a child but the money is used to pay for community projects and manage a local staff. This is good work but I found that people had the impression that all of their money was going directly to the child.

 

[Natasha]

Re: Is it similiar to Save the Children (Tom)

Tom, yes, I believe Save (US) works this way. It is a huge NGO with a hefty overhead. Out of curiosity, have you worked/sponsored with Save before?

Regards,
Natasha

 

[Tom F.]

Re: Is it similiar to Save the Children (Tom)

No I haven't contributed to Save the Children but met and spent some time with there employees near Dajabon. A friend of mine was a Peace Corps volunteer in the area and knew kids who were being sponsered and read the letters that were sent to them because they were in English. He told me that the family did not receive any of the money directly but did help the local schools and was pretty much being used for small gravity flow aquaduct systems. There was a nice center, a nursery and a garden. There was a Land Rover and some motorcycles for the employees to get around on.

 

[Natasha]

Thanks Tom *DC*