Comments on: Emotional Appeals for Sponsorship: Right or Wrong?

By: annabelle

annabelle — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 06:44:01 +0000

I don’t like things that try to appeal to my emotions because i feel like I’ve been tricked. It may not be the best way to get things done (especially because someone who sponsors while having a ‘moment’ may not be the sponsor who sends letters or continues sponsoring), but, I’m still a HUGE fan of Compassion. I understand there are different methods of doing things. Maybe I’m wrong.

I think that the criticism is one of the best I have ever seen. His words were still graceful, and he even provided a link to sponsor a child. Regardless of what’s the right way to do it, we must reflect Christ in our methods and in our criticisms.

By: Mary Choi

Mary Choi — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:13:48 +0000

Why is it wrong to use emotion to influence someone else? Emotions in themselves are not wrong. Also, all mature persons should be able to deal with their own emotions in a mature way, not feel manipulated because someone “made” them feel that way? Emotion is a part of motivating change. It’s not ALL, but it’s a part.

By: Crystlgib

Crystlgib — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:31:28 +0000

My Final word is this:
Compassion seems to intentionally play on people emotions with the surprise meetings. I consider this manipulation. The poor of the world clearly have legitimate needs and sympathy has a proper place. But, when someone deliberately uses another person’s emotions as a means to manipulate them into complying with their will, it is witchcraft.
2 Corinthians 3:17. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

By: Lisa Miles

Lisa Miles — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:59:52 +0000

CrystlGib, I was reading a post of yours from May 2009 — the last time you said you were quitting Compassion. That time it was over the rate increase. So it sounds like you may have been mulling over this decision for quite a while.

If you decide to switch to a different child sponsorship organization, I just want to encourage you to really be sure you choose an organization you can stick with. As others have mentioned, it is a sad occasion for a child when they are dropped by their sponsor. Best-case scenario is to stick with a child until they graduate from whatever program they are in.

Good luck with the organization you choose!

By: Steve Mooradian

Steve Mooradian — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:12:50 +0000

While I, personally, would never drop my sponsorship over something like this, I can absolutely understand CrystlGib’s frustration. To be frank, knowing that Compassion continues this exploitative practice irks me… like the organization as a whole has simply “brushed away” those of us who raised the red flag on this. I can see why someone would say, “Hey… lack of discernment here? Well, then I’d better take my efforts somewhere else.”

I’d be interested in hearing what Stafford thinks.

By: CrystlGib

CrystlGib — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:00:56 +0000

Chris I appreciate that you accepted when I wasn’t always on the rah rah rah sis boom ba team. I know you saw me take a few beating for voicing my opinion, but hopefully understood I trusted you enough to hear the truth when you asked for it. Frankly I was surprised by my strong response. I did seek the council of friends and family and I did pray and mediate on this for some time. I think what disturbed me was that, in my judgment, Compassion could have easily respected everyone opinion and gone about these meetings in a different way. There have been other discussion and debates where I can see Compassion has to make a choice, and perhaps even a difficult one. For instance I was on the “yeah the communication is outdate team.” In that situation I can understand that updating the system could cost money. And even if it saves money in the long run, you still have decide how to make that initial investment. So I can understand, and even expect, Compassion moving slowly and methodically. But in this debate, the choice only cost Compassion some consideration, no time no money no additional effort. I can image that if people who were ok with the current policy were told “Compassion has decide to introduce the sponsors and student in private and then allow the students to introduce their sponsor during their testimony” would probably have the reaction “ok that sounds good too.” So for Compassion to disregard my, and many other’s, strong feelings on this matter was unacceptable. I would remind you that in your own words, “Actions of consequences.”
For the other people voicing their concerns, Compassion will find new sponsors for my eleven children. My children know I love them and more importantly they know Jesus loves them. Even if I am completely wrong, God has the grace to heal any wounds. I will continue to champion the poor of the world. I will just now do so with organizations I feel value my opinion enough to listen.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:06:21 +0000

I think it’s a gift to be able to witness it.

By: Jimmy Wambua

Jimmy Wambua — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:46:14 +0000

Dear Crystlgib,
It is my prayer that you did not let go the hand of the child you’ve been holding and being the face of Jesus to.

I was sponsored by Compassion for 16 years and I am the “child” in that video.

God, in His infinite wisdom created a beautiful blend of cultures world-over and gave man the opportunity to make use of the diversity with understanding,grace and compassion. My sponsor is Canadian, I am Kenyan and the platform is American but dignity is universal.Thats part of God’s genius.

Speaking from experience, Compassion is a true advocate, she is the protective mother of her little ones. Compassion dignifies the poor children she serves.

I would encourage you to interrogate yourself why you opened your heart to help a poor child and whether you would honestly shut your doors to a child because of “dimwit event organizer” as Steve Mooradian would eloquently charge. That child needs you more than you do want your voice heard and your vote to counted.

I would love to entertain questions if someone has any.

By: Kees Boer

Kees Boer — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:25:26 +0000

Hi, I’m sorry to hear that you are considering dropping your sponsorship, because you disagree with this marketing approach. Please, consider that your child really loves you a lot. He/she does not know anything about this whole marketing approach. Just today, I was talking to a director of a project, who told me that the children cry when the sponsor cancels.
Also, I’ve spent a lot of time with LDP students over the last 3 months. Most of them would give anything to be in the situation that this young man is in. Their big dream is to meet their sponsor. They pray for their sponsor every day. We’re not talking marketing here. We’re talking a relationship here. The sponsor is very important to the child and to the LDP student. That’s why your letters are so important. The money is the least important part of the sponsorship! It’s the prayers and the letters that are important! I can tell you from being in the projects almost every day for the last 3 months that your money goes to where Compassion says that it is going. Children’s lives are being changed and the sponsor-child relationship is a HUGE part of this.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:05:17 +0000

I really really hate these public reunions too. It really should be a private matter. Maybe the reunited pair could meet privately and then be given the opportunity to go public if they wish to (after given at least a few days for prayer/thought). I won’t stop sponsoring my kiddos over this…but I do hope that Compassion changes their minds on this one.