Looking for a Secular "Christian Children's Fund" type org.

[CanuckAmok]

We're thinking about sponsoring a Third World child, but we really don't want to support CCF, WorldVision, or any other religious-based organizations. We'd prefer to support a child without attaching storybook-indoctrination as a rider to the arrangement.

ANyone know any good agencies? Canada-based would be best, but international is also fine.

[arwalden]

1. Good For You!!

I've always feared that CCF was nothing more than the third-world equivalent of a Tent Revival Spaghetti Supper and Fish Fry. Before you can eat you must hear the sermon.

-- Allen

[CanuckAmok]

2. Yes it is...with many documented cases of that type of behaviour.

ANd don't get me started on World Vision, which is supposed to be, among other things, a CIA entity.

"Here's some nice fresh water for ya, kiddo. Oh, by the way, do your parents happen to have any little red books in your hut...?"

[Maple]

3. Me too!

If anybody knows of one PLEASE let me know.

So far I haven't been able to find anything like that.

[Ladyhawk]

4. Ditto.

If I ever get myself straightened up, something like this is on my shortlist. I just couldn't stomach the idea of helping the fundies shove a harmful religion down the throat of a child.

[RMJ]

5. Unicef, maybe? nt

[Djinn]

6. Never give to World Vision

It took me months of letters to get them to admit that some of MY cash was going to religious education, they argued that "that's what the community wants" I asked that if the community asked for female genital mutilation would they support that too under their program?

How about if they asked for Islamic instruction? jewish?

not to even mention the MILLIONS spent in Oz alone in media monitoring and an enormous marketing dept that pays large salaries when compared to those paid by other charities.

There is also the problem that people are conned into thinking they are helping a particular child or village and basically they're not the money is pooled.

Some non religious charities that are reputable (from my dealings - have volunteered for some worked for others and just supported others)

Oxfam (Community Aid Abroad in some areas)
Amnesty
Unicef

I don't know if they do the "sponsor a kiddie" thing but in reality none of them really do that

http://www.charitynavigator.org/ might be able to help narrow it done a bit

[CanuckAmok]

7. good link--thanks! n/t

[mbartko]

8. Children International

I used to have kids I sponsored there. I don't know if they push a Christian agenda, although they would ask for Christmas and Easter presents. They were less expensive than most ($15 a month, I think).

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. Oxfam is a good organization

even though you don't get your own individual kiddie.

They work on community development and economic and political empowerment of the poor, especially women.

By the way, even in the CCF-type organizations, they state in the fine print that the money doesn't go to your sponsored child. Instead it goes to their projects in the child's community, and the child is just a tangible symbol of what they're doing. For example, if they have a "family helper project," which does a lot of things, like provide school supplies and free lunches for children and vocational training for parents and older siblings, they'll pick a random child whose family is benefiting from that project, and your money goes to the local family helper project instead of to the child or his/her family.

[noonwitch]

10. The same with UNICEF

But those sponsorships work because you get letters from the kid and that makes your donations so much more personally rewarding.

[CanuckAmok]

13. That's better, anyway...

I always wondered about what it would be like if Juanita got a hot lunch and a new notebook, but her friend Maria didn't.

[Blue_Chill]

11. I would have thought Humanist org's wouldn't be hard to find.

Considering all the griping they do about religious groups that help people.

hmm. Good luck on your search.

[Chilly_Willy]

12. yep

I hope you find a good charity