Child sponsorship

My son and his wife sponsor a child through World Vision, too.

We sponsor a child too and have done for years - but I am quite squeamish about making direct contact with the child (in fact children, as time has gone on) - some instinct tells me it is a bit patronising - but it may be totally irrational. We just send the money and hope that it improves their lives.

The Nicaraguan children I sponsor were so poor that they raided rubbish tips for breakfast before going to school. Now that their education is paid for they can eat properly. www.seed-trust.com/Index.asp?MainID=3218

I sponsored two boys, consecutively, in Nairobi, through Save the Children. Then they gave up individual sponsorship. However, the second boy wrote to me to tell me that he would name his first daughter after me. I am sure he would have done that but sadly we lost touch. Since then I have continued to donate to SCF but both DSs' families sponsor children in developing countries.

My eldest DD has sponsered a GRANNY for several years, in memory of her own Granny. I was somewhat surprised when I found out (saw a handmade Chrismas card from her Indian Granny) but DD explained that the only way these Grannies could survive was by literally taking the food from their DGC's mouths. By donating enough to cover the cost of the Granny's food the sponser helps them to survive and continue to help their families rather than be a burden on them.

Granny23 I love the idea of sponsoring a Granny and have begun investigating the different schemes for doing so.