Children International

Dec 24th, 2022

I did a lot of research before choosing the CI organization to sponsor children through. Within the first few months, I learned that a child I was supposedly sponsoring was not actually in the program. Okay, things happen. However, as time went on, it became abundantly clear to me that letters from the four children I sponsored were offering conflicting information and reports, which I found confusing. The donations I sent - including 'special gifts' for birthdays and Christmas - appeared to be thrown into a general pot of money and distributed widely for household goods, etc - and did not appear to be used for special gifts for my sponsored children. For my 100.00 gifts, I was to receive personal letters from the children regarding what they received that they might love - that was unique and special to them - but this did not occur. I called CI several times and continuously had my concerns minimized or dismissed. I have no children of my own. It was important to me that I had some sort of REAL and authentic connection to the children I sponsor. This did not occur. I realize the pandemic caused difficulties, but I would have preferred to have been notified by CI regarding the fact my donations - including 'special gift' donations - would be thrown into a general pool of money that is used for all the children, and that the children I sponsored would not actually be receiving special gifts unique to them (I never once received a letter from my sponsored children regarding something special they received that was just for them for their birthday or Christmas - just canned, stock letters that they received food gifts, etc).  I'm not financially well off, and without an authentic connection - and receiving what appeared to be 'canned' (stock) letters that at times offered conflicting information about the children I sponsored (e.g., sometimes they were attending a CI-sponsored school, yet another letter in the same time frame said they were home due to the pandemic) - the relationships I had been hoping to build with my sponsored children and their families were impossible to develop. Again, had there been full disclosure from CI about how my donations would be used, I might have continued to sponsor. As it is, with my observations and concerns being dismissed every time I sought to address it with CI staff, I am choosing to end my relationship with CI. Not the children - as I never had the opportunity to develop a real relationship with either one of them.
Nov 14th, 2022

Jul 25th, 2022

I have hosted a child for years here. I just recently was informed they don't have and don't offer spiritual education so I have children at Compassion International which feeds both the children's stomachs and souls. This is what I am looking for!
Dec 26th, 2021

The exploitation of the poor for the gain of the rich.I carefully reviewed this organisation. I looked at their programs and the impact they say they have and looked at what their leadership does and earns. It doesn't add up. Their leadership makes fortune. Their CEO, COO, and other higher-ups came from a failing company, Hallmark (the greeting card people). Children International doesn't appear to be making much difference to the population they say they serve, their income has fallen year after year but their upper management keeps earning more and more and more and more. This looks like a pyramid scheme where the people at the top make all the money, while the people at the bottom are exploited.
Oct 14th, 2021