Henrietta Hunse
I work for CRWRC in the Burlington office, in Church Relations (until I retire next month). Previously, I have served with CRWRC overseas for 10 years, in Mali, West Africa. My main area was health promotion and community development.
Posted in: Child Sponsorship: Looking Behind the Picture on the Fridge
Hello Grace
Thanks for reinforcing the fact that in making a decision as to what organization to support, it is right to look beyond a simple "Child Sponsorship or not" criterion. It is worth the time to check out websites and annual reports to learn in more detail their fund raising methods and expenses, as well as the nature of the programming that is actually being carried out.
Posted in: Child Sponsorship: Looking Behind the Picture on the Fridge
You make some good points, Allen. I fully agree that it is dangerous to make generalizations, and that one should do some basic research about an organization to become informed as to its program activities, fund raising practices and expenses in making decisions about making donations. Some facts and figures are helpful here. You are also right in that donors need and want pictures and stories. That is why CRWRC includes pictures and stories in its Free A Family program, in its Annual Report, on the web site, and in many other ways
Regarding whether or not families in Africa experience a loss of dignity in having the pictures of their children posted on the web site, it will not be easy to assess this accurately. From my years in Africa, in their desire to be courteous and friendly to visitors, and to be cooperative with potential donors, I know that people will be very reluctant to give a negative response, and are highly unlikely to tell you that they do not appreciate this manner of fund raising -- if they thought they had any choice in the matter. Does the rationale that they benefit through increased fund raising make it right, or might this be akin to justifying sweat shops because otherwise workers would have no job at all?
Posted in: Child Sponsorship: Looking Behind the Picture on the Fridge
If you are interested in what the ethics columnist of the Toronto Star had to say on the subject, go to: http://www.thestar.com/living/article/907637--feeling-good-without-the-commitment-is-the-mantra-that-defines-our-times
http://www.thestar.com/living/article/907637--feeling-good-without-the-commitment-is-the-mantra-that-defines-our-times .
The language is strong, and again, it is important to check out each organization individually.