In Reply to: Gifts for sponsored children? posted by shaddup on Saturday, 17. February 2007 at 05:55 Bali Time:
I sponsor 3 children in Bali (as well as a few other kiddies and pregnant women around the world, I am a soft touch) and happily pay my money each year. I don't go to Bali regularly so am unable to visit and give gifts (I did once send some small gifts with TinaG).
When we go to Bali in April we are only there for a week so more than likely won't visit the school. I am happy to pay my money without forming a relationship as such - maybe that sounds uncaring? I feel that sponsorship is enough and would rather sponsor another child than spend more money on those who already have sponsorship. I often do wonder how the children I sponsor feel when others arive laden with gifts and they get nothing, not even a visit from me.
There are many ways we can help children around the world such as a scholorship program for high school girls in Cambodia, this is also a wonderfully successful program. East Timor also has a similar setup with the Alola Foundation set up by Kirsty Sword-Gusmao. I will possibly never get to visit and form a relationship with these people, I am happy enough knowing my small contribution can have such a profound effect on these people's lives.