Sponsoring a child

[Mistopheles]

I really want to do something to help someone this Christmas, and I was thinking of sponsoring a child. There are so many organisations doing this though - how do I know which ones are genuine? And are there any that don't require large donations - I'm only on disability benefits, so although I want to help, I can't pay that much. I would prefer an organisation that lets you write to the child occasionally, whether that's directly or through the organisation.

Also, I often have toys / clothes etc. that I'd like to donate - I usually give them to charity shops, but does anyone know of an organisation that collects them to send abroad?

[Dom Tuk]

It is not too difficult to sponsor a child in a fashion that no money goes to any well paid charity organiser. If you would like to pay the school fees for a child in, lets say India, just get the address of any school of the internet (pick a city, say Bombay and type in school and you will get addresses). Then just write to the head teacher and say you would like to pay the fees of a child whose parents are struggling to pay the fees and you will soon get a reply. the fees are pennies to you and me but a big burden off the shoulder of the parents. You could ask to pay for a gifted child and they will send you the name and even the receipts for the payment. It can be any country not just India. The money goes directly to the school to pay for a child. No middlemaen earning fat salaries from your benevolence.

[Octavius]

I belong to PlanUK, and although I think they have a minimum donation of about �15 a month for individual sponsorship , I am sure you can still make ad-hoc donations that would suit you. You are also allowd to write occassionally and send gifts/toys/clothes, but always through the organisation.

http://www.plan-uk.org/

[Octavius]

Here is another way..

http://piggybankkids.org/