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Hi All

I wasn't going to sponsor another child but can't help looking. Another child just jumped onto my page, I looked into this child's eyes and he looked so sad.He will be 18 October 10th and couldn't help myself. Anyone else feel this way?

Are you kidding me? Sometimes, I think this type of entrapment should be illegal.

Honestly, I think most of the sponsors on this site are already sponsoring as many as they can.  Many  are trying to stay off the children waiting site. Maybe CI could make a place where people could do this, but not on MSC. I read there used to be a special place on Lift One where this was done. Then people could choose whether or not to see these posts.   Also if someone is wanting to sponsor another child, every child waiting should have the same opportunity. Sponsoring is addicting! This is almost like offering liquor to an alcoholic!

I intentionally don't look at kids when I'm not ready to add another one, but a sponsor recently told me that my child's brother was on the waiting list.  He'd been on before, then disappeared, so I figured he'd have a short number of days and I'd wait . . . but he'd been waiting almost a year, so he'd just been off the site for the normal CI rotation :-(  I asked to have him added as soon as Keisy's graduation had been processed, which conveniently had just been completed.  So, I'm temporarily keeping 12 kids until Lovely graduates next spring!

Sure do its very addictive. It's just the fact of helping a little person that is my drive. I am staying off now I am good for a few months but I really try not to look but what can I say they children are adorable. 

His name is Stephen David, 6, in Honduras (child # 1204313). He popped up on the screen Friday. And he looked so sad. How did they make him look that sad? Threaten his puppy or something? Anyway, someone adopt errrr sponsor him before I succumb.

Don't do it, Alan! Stephen's not in the right SAC.

PS: Not sure they'd need to threaten his pup, considering the short lifespan of the Honduran canine. Each time I get a new letter from our family in Honduras, their last dog's died and they've got a new one. The current doggie is named "Oso" (Bear), but I'm not counting on Oso being around by the time I visit. They're like goldfish.

"Don't do it, Alan! Stephen's not in the right SAC. "

Good to know.

There's a little girl from Zambia her name is Beauty. She is 7 years old and isn't in school makes me sad. Her family income is $20 a month and I wish I could sponsor but I just can't

I agree that it is best not to post "Sponsor this child?" on the main board (I removed my blog about Beauty). I personally would like to see a specific thread where one could go to look at the kids mentioned, or post one-- but since people would have to go off the main page to find it, it wouldn't "entrap" people who really can't afford it. (I've been there myself, I understand what you mean.) 

Why do we need any thread at all to mention any single child. Everyone has the same opportunity to see all the kids on the unsponsored site. If a person can't afford to sponsor another child that looks pitiful or is in a rather needful situation why try to push another into doing it. ALL the kids are needful and deserve the same chance at being viewed. I guess I've just made the grumpy grandpa list.

Agreed... I think the important thing to keep in mind​ is that all of us here are already sponsors. If any of us wants to add another child, we all know where to look and there is no reason why we couldn't find that particular child on our own. The people who choose to avoid looking at the waiting list do so for a reason and in my opinion we should all respect that reason because the chances are it has more to do with having a limited budget, rather than not wanting to help children or not being aware that there are children out there who need help. Besides, I don't see much of a point in trying to "sell" another child to ​existing sponsors who most likely already took on as many as they could. Finding a new sponsor would benefit CI a lot more than having an existing sponsor with a limited budget adding one more child and basically splitting the same budget between more children. If someone really wants to get a child sponsored, I think it makes a lot more sense to go outside of MSC and the message boards and try to find a new sponsor.

Actually, gabor2k15, all the people on MSC aren't sponsors. I learned recently, to my surprise, that if you make any kind of donation to CI, you can - maybe even have to - create your own account. Then you can read the posts here. That being said, I agree totally with the points you make!

Wow! I did know that that if a sponsor had an account on MSC they could  still keep it open, even when they were no longer sponsoring. I didn't know that anyone who made a donation to CI could get on this site or see what was written on it. Probably should think about this more before putting personal information on MSC about ourselves or our sponsored children. I also agree completely  with gabor2k15 and grampaNicky. Sponsoring and/or selecting a child, should be left up to the sponsor.

Absolutely, barbmc. That's why we shouldn't post any health, family or other personal information about the children. ​I've heard that people working in CI's field offices can also access MSC, as can child protection watchdog orgs.

I'm sorry I didn't mean anything by it.

Joanie, 

Don't apologize. That's why this thread is here. So posts can be made about kids that catch our eye and not be on the main board. 

If anything, I think a separate space, like the Non CI News space is the most suitable.  Any text posted on the message board will appear,in part , on MSC. Personally, I don't think that one sponsor should try to influence another sponsors choice, no matter how much they want someone to sponsor a child that they themselves have selected.  Pretty soon the message board will be flooded with sponsors, advocating for the child of their choice. If anyone on MSC can't choose a child by themselves, CI will happily pick one for you. But I don't think that is the real problem.

There is no need to apologize.... It's just that (I think) no one here is sitting on some extra money and just waiting for someone to suggest a child for them to sponsor. It's quite the opposite; most sponsors are already maxed out and trying to "sell" them another child will just make them feel bad for not being able to help. That's why some sponsors already avoid looking at the waiting list and that's why pretty much every thread where someone tried to suggest a child is full of comments that basically say the same thing: "I wish I could help, but I already sponsor as many as I can afford. Hopefully someone else will pick him/her up." 

I also agree with everything barbmc said above... I don't visit the message board very often, but the most recent posts are always visible on the Story Center page (on the right side), so posting about children here instead of there won't make much of a difference. There is no way to avoid seeing it. I think looking for sponsors elsewhere - someone who isn't already aware of where to find the children who are waiting - would be a lot more helpful than trying to get an existing sponsor to add another child.

I do think it would be a good idea for folks who are thinking about sponsoring to get an account and see the MSC and message board. Its a good way to learn about sponsoring and all the nitty gritty mechanics of it. I know I could have used the short cuts to learn myself.

Another place sent me a child photo I could add to my others (and if someone else chose her first I'd get a child in the same region). This was good marketing, and I hope she got chosen. But I felt bad. I had to throw her in the trash. Talk about feeling guilty.  Someday I will probably meet her in heaven. And I threw her picture in the trash.  I know, I know...they were just trying to get more kids sponsored. But ouch, I felt bad.  Right before I joined CI I signed on with another organization, and they are having problems transitioning to a new system.  I have not heard from the kids and it has been 5 months. I feel stuck. But I already sent letters and photos...and there is a human being on the other end. Two of mine at this other place already dropped (before getting my letters, since the letters are getting stuck in translation). The kids are 17 and age out at 22, and it's a significant donation since there are a bunch of them. I am really torn and wish I'd found CI first. Any insight from other sponsors? It can be 6 months to hear follow-up on any gifts, and that is not my concern (but I like how CI is timely so you know the child benefits). It's just...I see my letters not getting to the kids due to the logistical problems, and I am spread thin trying to keep them.

No sponsor should ever feel guilty about not sponsoring more children than they can afford! Many sponsors ask CI not to send them any new pictures or info when one of their children leaves the program or graduates. They shouldn't feel bad if they spend less money on extra gifts than some other sponsors do either.  Just choosing to sponsor a child living in poverty is a generous gift from a caring heart! I'll bet that one day,in heaven, you will meet all those you have helped and you will feel their love for you and their gratitude for what you have done for them.  Sponsors matter too! I doubt anyone on this site would want you to sponsor another child when you're  already spread thin.

I would love to sponsor them all also.  However just talking about your own experiences sometimes inspires people to sponsor.  I hope one day Children International sells some T-Shirts or Tote Bags or water bottles with their  LOGO.  Great way to spark a conversation.

They used to and may still have some if you ask!  I actually have a CI hoodie that I wear quite a bit.  :)

Sure the site is addictive, but I don't have a problem. I can quit any time. Unrelated, make sure to check my profile for info on the two kids I added in the last two days.

I just checked your favourite kids, there are all beautiful!!

LOL.  I feel the same way - I never INTEND to add kids before my others graduate, but a strange thing happens when I look at the site and somehow I figure out how to manage the extra for "just a few months."  I might have permanently increased my kids over 10, except Katherine's educational program comes with some hefty fees for the next three years, so I want to be sure I can continue to fund that!

I just sponsored my first child. I am very excited about it. It make me so happy spiritually,I love showing him off to my friends and coworkers.

This totally just happened to me... I just added two more today (one because he had be waiting for more than 100 days and the other because she shares my birthdate). I had planned to only sponsor one more (and make my total 3)... but I guess I just wont be going out to eat as often. Plus, it makes me feel good to know that I am helping someone and useful since I do not have kids of my own.

I completely understand!