How do I respond to this?

[suchawimp]

I sponsored a child for a few months and just started sponsoring another last week. One is in Uganda and the other in India. One of the girls at work is looking into sponsoring so we were talking about it on Friday. I had the picture of my Indian child to show her the pack that you get from the charity.

Couple of colleagues decided to jump into the conversation to say how it is all a con etc.

One said I should have chosen prettier children. Which was a bit of a shock but I figured she was making a joke.

Just had a text from her this morning saying "I see you are sponsoring another kid with a dark sun tan."

I don't know how to respond to it! It sounds racist to me but maybe I am over-sensitive as I love my little sponsor children!

They are early 40s and mid 50s.

Only one was in today so it was a bit easier - the older one who tends to start things was off sick. The other just avoided me.

I just don't get it. Why judge those innocent little kids on their skin colour and decide that they are worthless.

No more texts which is a plus.

Am really nervous but am going to speak to the older one if she is back in tomorrow.

I read up a lot before sponsoring and Compassion are very highly rated - there was a study on the ongoing impact in the child's life. Plant a Book is run by locals with a co-ordinator in the US.

Sounds like the older one is an ignorant old fishwife and the younger one is easily led.

Either way they're a pair of twats whose opinions you shouldn't have to put up with, least of all in a working environment.

Good luck with speaking to the older woman, although wonder if you should put something on an email so you have proof of what you've said if she decides to get arsey about you raising it.