"Adopting" a child in a Third World country for a certain monthly

[raccoon]

amount, has anyone here ever done that? Are these places on the level?

[The Deacon]

1. Depends On The Charity

I would suggest checking the Better Business Bureau's website - they have a link which rates charities on a number of different criteria, including the ratio of money spent on services to money spent on fundraising efforts.

[elehhhhna]

2. Another option for third world giving: Heifer International !

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/k.9430/Gift_Catalog.htm?msource=kw59

[wtmusic]

3. You can adopt an orphan in Iraq

at http://www.lifeusa.org

You get a picture and bio. I did some research--appears to be legit. You never know for sure.

[catabryna]

4. Yes, I have for the past six years...

The little boy is now ten years old and lives in Thailand. We do get regular letters from him and a new photograph every couple of years. Before he could write, he would color pictures for us and have his older brother write on his behalf. What is nice is that if we send something special for his birthday or Christmas, it ALL goes to him (none of it is kept for expenses). Administration expenses are 9%; a figure which is acceptable to me.

[azurnoir]

5. In recent years

one of those organizations "Christian Children's Fund" has changed the wording in their commercials- they used to say "they sponsored children no matter what religion they are" now that line has been cut out of the commercial. To appease fundies or because they no longer will sponsor non-christian child?

[raccoon]

7. Good question. I found that group on an Internet search. nt

[stray cat]

6. I sponsor two kids in Africa through World Vision

World Vision and Compassion international both are legitimate with budgets online and most of the money going to villages and children and not administration and advertising.