We've been asked by Plan UK to find out your views on sponsoring a child. Please read the information below (and maybe check out the website, with a great video featuring a MNer) and add your thoughts. Everyone who adds their comments will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon voucher. Everyone is welcome to post on the thread, from those who know nothing about the topic to those who have been sponsoring a child for years.
Here's some background for you from Plan UK "Plan UK pioneered child sponsorship almost 75 years ago, and since then has been working with children and their communities around the world to make a lasting difference to children's lives. Today, over 100,000 people in the UK alone sponsor children with Plan"
Now Plan UK are interested in finding out more about what would compel people, but parents in particular, to sponsor a child as a regular form of giving to an international development organisation, as opposed to other forms of regular giving.
So please let us know....
~ What are your initial reactions to the idea of sponsoring a child? And what (if anything) appeals to you about this form of giving?
~ Have you ever considered - or do you currently - sponsor a child in a developing country? What are your thoughts and experiences?
~ Have your heard of Plan UK before? And if so, what did you think of them/know about what they do?
~ Would having a personal connection, which could include your own family & children, with a child in a developing country make you more or less inclined to give?
~ Transparency and accountability are crucial when it comes to building trust in a charity; what is it that you look for when considering a charity to donate/give to?
~ If a charity has a big 'brand' and is well known, how much does this influence your level of confidence in what that charity does? Are they more trustworthy, and are they more likely to have greater expertise because they are well known? Or would you prefer to give to a smaller charity? If so, why?
For more info on Plan UK see their special pages on Mumsnet, here
Many thanks
MNHQ