What do you think about helping and supporting children through Compassion International or other ministries of the same kind?
(here is Compassion International's website, if you'd like to read about them: http://www.compassion.com/default.htm)Should we donate to that kind of program? Why?
Should we not donate? Why not?
Do you support a child from another country? If not, would you?
Thanks so much for your time. I greatly appreciate it!
~Megan Mercier (9:00)
24 comments:
I tend to stay away from religious affiliation b/c I'm atheist, and I know what how "missionaries" in the past use their help as a platform to convert people. I do think that we have a social obligation to help people who need it, if we have the resources. I don't support a child from another country, but I am on welfare myself right now. I wouldn't be opposed to the government giving money to those countries in need; fully realizing that "we", the citizens are really paying for that. It seems easier to just assume that it's our duty as humans to help each other.
Renee Hart
I am a nationalist and strongly believe that Americans should put their effort into solving our problems and making our country better. The only time we should ever donate money or supplies is to give temporary assistance (6-months to 2 years)or to stamp out an epidemic that could harm us. However, I respect and support(not financially)the people that are willing and happy to help others.
I also do not view these ministries in a good light because they often use guilt as a way to your pocket and want to convert these "godless people"
Daniel Hooker (7:00)
I absolutely think we should share our wealth and bless other countries. Some might argue that are enough people in the United States with similar problems and that we should help them first. Maybe that is so, I really don't know, but I do know that this Compassion International seems like a reall great thing. What could be more fullfilling than helping a child--keeping them clothed, and under shelter, and fed. I don't think anything could be more important. I don't support a child from another country, but to be honest, it is something that I should do. Maybe that isn't exactly how the world would view this though. Sometimes society is more concerned with their designer clothes rather than with saving lives. It doesn't make sense to me.
Dustin Piercy
I think helping and supporting other people through Compassion or any other ministry is a great thing. Didn't God call us to help others and be His light? Donating is all a personal choice for everybody and what God calls them to do/give. If you were that person in a not-so-fortunate home/country wouldn't you want someone to reach out and help? I guess the only reason I can think of to not donate is the group you are donating to is really a scam, but I highly doubt that would happen for very often, much less with Compassion International. I do not individually suport a child. Although, my family has and my youth group does, so in a way I do. Yes, I most likely would support a child in the future. Although, hopefully maybe I'll be able to actually go to their country and help them that way too.
Elizabeth Kerns
I always see these commercials on t.v. where they find the worst places to film and then get one of the cutest but dirtiest kids they can find. I think it is sad to see them like this and want to help out. And I would except I don't believe that the money or the supplies actually go to them. You can adopt a child through these countries with the post cards in the mail but when you send off your check, do you really know it's going to your child? But I think we should put forth effort to go ourselves to these places and help these children, to make the world a better place.
Abby Dillingham (9:00)
I think that we should definitely support other countries. I think that if we have enough money for ourselves and then some, it should go towards helping other people. I do not send money to other countries, but then again, I'm a poor college student. Alot of my friends' families send money to other countries and I always mention it to my parents. Whenever I see the commercials for sending money, I always feel realy bad for the children. But then, I think hey, I don't want to feel guilty for not sending money, I should WANT to send the money and not feel like I should. Because if I feel like I'm obligated to send money, I won't enjoy it and feel good about sending it. I think thats how all America should be. I think first we have to start caring about others and not be so selfish, and then I think after a while more and more people will start sending money to other countries.
Morgan MacFarlane (9:00)
In response to what Abby wrote, www.charitynavigator.com is a website that rates charities on how well they use the money they receive (i.e., is the money really going where you think it is).
I think that supporting children from other countries is a great thing to do. Your money is helping feed those children and helping them survive another day. I think that if you have the money to donate to that kind of program then you should. You should donate because you are helping to feed and clothe someone that wouldn't normally have those "luxuries". If I had the money to be able to donate to a child I would. It would make me feel really good to know that I am making a childs day better. I do not support a child from another coutry right now because I'm trying to support for myself but if I come across that kind of money, I would be glad to support someone else.
Kirby Reifsteck (9:00)
I think that the support of international children is a very good cause. I think that the donations that the program recieves actually do reach the children and make a difference. I would totally support a child from another country. I know many people who would not be willing to help others in other countries because they think we have enough poverty here, but we are amoung the wealthiest nations and could afford to help others in need.
Frankie Gaskill (9:00)
I think supporting children in other countries is great! If there is enough money to go around, why shouldn't we share with others who are less fortunate? I think it's wonderful that people are donating money to save children's lives. It makes the world a better place, and it enhances childrens' lives on a daily basis. I don't personally donate money to children in other countries, but I do have family members that do. They recieve letters, pictures, and thank you cards from them. I think it not only makes the childrens' livesbetter, but it makes the people who are donating feel better about themselves as well.
Chelse Lindenbaum (9:00)
I strongly believe that we need to help our own country and not worry about others. The United States has many problems and we shouldnt worry about everyone elses. Most countries dont even like Americans anyways but they sure love our money we had out to them.
Kristin Knowles
I think that supporting children through these ministries is very good. My family has supported a few children over the years in other countries. I have done the 30 hour famine 3 or 4 times with my youth group. We also participate in Operation Christmas Child in which we send shoe boxes with Christmas presents to children who have NEVER gotten a Christmas present. Since America is the wealthiest country, I think it is very good if we help other countries. Some American's make way too much money, and I think it would be very good if they would put it towards these organizations to actually help and change other people's lives. Instead, most professional athletes or bands or whoever, just buy the biggest and best of everything to show off their money. I raised money to fast for 30 hours and the money was enough to buy a few chickens for a family so that they could always have a supply of eggs or chicken to eat. There are so many different ways that people can help out and honestly to us, it's nothing! A few dollars can do so much in a third world country. $35 a day supports a child named Emely Apao from the Philippines with food, school, and clothes. It's so easy, yet so great.
Hannah Dodd (9:00)
Hmm I really don't know about this one, Megan. A part of me says that we really shouldn't worry about it because we already have enough problems as it to worry about other people-sometimes you've just got to be selfish--mean, I know. But then the nice part of me wants to say that we should help out these kids. We're a rich country, we might as well use our money wisely and help out the countries that are in the dumps because that's what the more stable countries need to do. I think more people should be supporting more children from other countries because I do know people that are doing that and I think that it's one of the best things that an individual can do.
Alyssa Surber (9:00)
I have no problem with people helping others. I am all for the missions feeding, clothing, teaching,etc. other nations which in turn can help us. A country cannot make it on its own. We transport goods, and with the way it is now, we need allies. I am against the commercials being put out to make you feel guilty by showing a bunch of sad children with no shoes on their feet. I personally do not support a child in another country. My husband makes the money, and he donates to a U.S. child organization. This isn't to say that someday when I have more money, I won't choose to support a group that I check into, and agree with on it's views.
Bobbi (9:00)
i dont mean to sound heartless....but shouldnt we have compassion for our country? no we shouldnt donate to such a program unless our country would benefit from it also...how many homeless or hungry people are there in our country...enough to be worried about our own country i will tell you that much...now i do feel sorry for children internationally...but we should be taking care of the children right here in our country first then them second...and no i wouldnt suppport a child from another country, i am a single mom who is barly gettin by myself, maybe someone should have compassion for me and my child and help us out so my daughter can have more than a can of green beans for dinner tonite.
april higgens 9 am class
I think that as indiduals we should help those who need it in other countries. We should donate if in a position to, because some of them don't have anything. My mother does support a child. But I don't think that our government should be giving to them, when we have problems here in our own country.
Dani (12:00)
First of all, I think people should research any charity before making a donation. Too many of these organizations perform freadulant acts, which causes people to quit giving to the legitimate ones. I think it's absolutely wonderful for people to donate, if the place checks out. Why should the location of a child determine if they are worth helping? A child is still a child regardless.I do not support a child from another country because I am having a hard enough time supporting my own family right now. If I were in a better financial situation, I would definately do my part to help out. Too many people are selfish and have expensive taste, yet children are starving all over the world.
Jennifer Wilson
Compassion international seems like a great organization to donatate to. The only thing to watch out for is where your money truely goes. Organizations,like this one, that are very transparent obviously aren't scams.
I believe that donating to any charitable organization is a wonderful idea. I wouldn't just limit it to just one program. There are many needy people in the world and there are many programs to help them. I feel that we should pressure our government and other leading nations to forgive the international debt of the world's poorest countries. There are also other ways people can help others in need. Many volunteer their time for different organizations (big brothers big sisters, red cross, salvation army and many more). I think it would be great if more people had the same feeling of civic responsibility. I feel that the world would be a much better place if we all had a little more compassion.
Scott Kimball (9:00)
I usually stay away from these kinds of agencies simply because I never know whether or not I can trust them. Unless I were to have visual confirmation, as in going to this country and seeing for myself where my money is going, I would feel like my money is most likely being squandered is some way. However, I commend all of those who actively support such groups because the idea behind doing so is very admirable.
Tristan Cogswell
I think that it’s absolutely necessary for us to donate to organizations like this because we have a lot of wealth to give when others may not even have enough food to survive. I currently do not support a child from another country but I would be willing to.
-Jimmy Gourdier (12:00 class)
I believe helping out others is always good. If people would take the time to look around they could find an organization that suits there interests and they could have fun and help out people all at the same time. As far as those sob story commercials about all the kids dyeing in Africa it honestly does not affect me too much. You will prob never know what those people are doing with your money or if they are even using it for the purpose you expected them to. So when it comes to helping people out i just stick with organizations of people i know who are going to use the money to a good cause.
Blake Eakes Noon
Absolutely. Compassion is a life changing organization. It is ludicrous that many Americans claim that they can't afford to sponsor a child. I am 16, I work part time as a dishwasher, and I support 10 kids! Anyone can do this, the kids are actually poor, are actually starving, actually have AIDS, disbilities, are orphaned...etc. As for the people who hate that you see poverty stricken nations on tv, when else are you confronted? The guy speaking on the child's behalf is not taking your money from you! He is pleading for the lives of others that many could easily save but choose not to. 32 dollars a month is nothing in America, but you can keep a kid alive for that much. Yes, people. Answer the call. Are we living in such a disgusting country that we are insulted by a commercial that confronts us with the true issues in this world? That we would roll our eyes and turn the channel because there is a POSSIBILITY that ONE or TWO charities are unsound? COME ON.
1. We should donate to anyone in need of some help. I was taught you help others and you will get your blessing and a much bigger way.
2.I feel if its just three cents give it. I feel we as Americans have it to good, and if someone can benifit from a few dollars or cents help them.
3.Yes. My mother has two sponser children from Africa and it feels good to hear from them to let us know the money we send helps them with education, shelter,and food.
Nicole Osby
Its great reading these comments.
I am Wilfred from Kenya (Africa) I was sponsored with Compassion international and at least for compassion international, I stand as a living witness of the good work that the organization is doing for poor children. Not a coin is lost through fraudulent means.
I am now employed by one project sponsored by CI and will graduate in University next year.
I am a star in my village now. Thanks to compassion for paying my school fees my poor family could not raise.
Wilfred Dakane
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