For years I have seen the commercials on TV about sponsoring a kid. So I began shopping around from sponsor organisation to organisation. I was first eyeing the obvious first choice to come to mind World Vision, but didn't agree with all their theology. I then eyed Childrens Child Fund Canada, but I see all their commercials on TV and wonder how the organisation pays for those commercials I don't want the money I donate going into commercials.

Finally I contacted Compassion Canada, they were slightly more expensive then the other organisations but I took that as a good thing. I researched the organisation a bit and finally chose them.

Now I make 500$ a month and everyone has told me I shouldn't worry about sponsoring a child. But growing up low income I feel the need to help others especially those worse off then myself. It took me awhile since I usually spend that 50$ on a video game each month.

But I have decided to sacrafice my one game a month and maybe I can still buy one every two months or so. But I thought it was important to sponsor a child. Helping save a kid from starvation and poverty is my pleasure. Its very hard for me to give up my one game a month, but I can't help thinking its selfish of me to spend all my money on myself and not a dime to help others. As a Christian I don't even tithe.

So do you sponsor a child? Have you ever thought of it? Do you think I made a good decision?

No,I don't trust most charity's. Did you ask how much of your money is going to go directly to helping that kid? There's a charity in America,called feed the children and the founder was scaming and taking money off the top. It's not that I would'nt want to give,it's just that I'm not a trusting person. It's good that you did research though.

I sponsored a dog, once. Oh, wait, sorry, I bet on it.

please confirm you make less money than people on welfare and that its not a typo

I've never sponsored a child. I already give a bit to a couple other charities and if someone is begging on the streets I'll give them what I have on me. But I like to mix it up so I don't want to feel obligated to have to donate to the same charity every month

@Joelcool: Why would you have a problem with the organization using tv commercials. I guarantee that most everyone is aware of charities like these because of tv commercials. You dont think they are buying commericals just for the sake of buying commericals do you?

@oldschoolfool: That attitude doesnt really hold water. All charities are scam jobs because some charities have scammed people. So I guess we should assume all teachers, priests, boy scout leaders, and karate instructors are child molestors until proven otherwise...heck, we should just throw parents into the mix since I'd bet more kids are molested by parents than all those other groups combined. Every man and woman is an adulterer...until proven otherwise. Every accountant, agent, and business partner is going to rob you blind...until proven otherwise. Every professional athlete is using steroids or other illegal substances...until proven otherwise.

You think its a good idea to donate and help starving kids, but use the "charities are corrupt"-line as a reason for why you havent donated. Not to rail on you, but that attitude always irritates me, because its really just a poor excuse for not donating. If a person just doesnt have the money to donate or whatever, I just wish they'd say that, rather than try to rationalize that they would indeed be donating if they actually thought their money would be used to help the needy.

Student?  Living at his parents?

Anyway I sponsor(ed) two orphanages one in Chengdu and one in Thailand..but I always have one condition and that is the children have some fun with it...This Christmas I got an X-mas Card (with all their names on)  and pictures of them for the first time visiting a Zoo and going to an burger.  You know the kind of stuff we find normal to do with our parents but those orphans never really do..

I don't support organisations because a lot of their volunteer work is paid....For me someone who does Volunteer work should do it for free...

That's pretty cool. I think you're making a good decision. 

Personally I would never donate to a charity that's for supporting Africa just because I feel like no amount of money can solve Africa's current problems. I wouldn't be surprised if the corrupt-ass leaders of these African countries somehow takes a portion of the money people donate to Africa.

I would, however, donate to some sort of Canadian charity.

Well, I don't sponsor one kid directly, but I pay a set amount of money to Red Cross every month that goes to helping children in Zimbabwe grow up with a brighter future.

Yes 80% of the money goes directly to the kid, however the remaining 20% is used in admin costs. I picked an organisation thats been around awhile and has a reputation.

I make 500$ a month spending money. My rent is covered. So I'm sponsoring for 51$ a month. That may seem like alot considering my income. But its the cost of roughly one game and I usually buy one game a month. So in a way I'm giving up my one game a month to sponsor a kid. If I really buckle down more on my spending then I can afford alittle better. P.S- I'm on disability (Welfare for people with disabilities)!