anyone feel guilty when they hear the World Vision commercials?

**XandersMummy** · 29-07-2008 17:58

I keep hearing them on the radio, so yesterday I viewed the website and sponsored a child.

It's easy to not think about the conditions that many people live in when you don't have to see it.

But now I can't stop thinking about it, and I feel guilty everytime we have a big meal, or a dessert, or even just watching telly.

What else can a person do besides just giving money? It's awful that so many of us just never think about how priveleged we are and how much so many people suffer...

It's a real awakening for me, someone who loves to shop and truly feels disappointed if I miss a good sale... how selfish and material!

Anyone else ever go through this? Anybody know of ways to help besides sponsoring?

Thanks for listening, just feeling a bit down...

**NibbleCurlynBub** · 29-07-2008 18:07

I do feel guilty, but I think about the percentage of dollar that actually gets sent there.. and change my mind.

I feel bad that there are people so bad off, though yes.

Honestly though, I have my own children to look after right now and while we are struggling financially then giving money away is just not an option.

I like to think contributing in other ways like being a foster carer and things is still useful even if I can't give millions to charity.

**Miss_Vicki** · 29-07-2008 20:12

i don't feel guilty but it also makes me kinda mad , think of all the people In au that are homeless or can barely feed them selfs or family an the ones that have to relie on soup kitchens an such to live.
IMO i think we also need to think of au'ers in financhile trouble an help out contrie to

If i could afford it thou i would sponcer a child

**Angelmist♥** · 29-07-2008 22:39

I had a major attack of the guilts after watching the movie "Blood Diamonds" so the next day I sponsored a little boy in Sierra Leone. 90% of our money goes to his community so to me, that's awesome.

**Ys_Woman** · 30-07-2008 10:58

Not guilty so much..but when I heard the ad many years ago I had just had dd2 and I felt very emotional about just how good my kids have it as opposed to some kids in the world. So I sponsored a little girl who is now just about to turn 13.
Where she lives things are tough and I think at the time I saw the ad I was all emotional about what if my bub had been born there. The only guilt I feel is throwing unused food away when I clean out the fridge. That is really shameful and wasteful I think.
I know there is a lot of talk about how much money actually makes it to the child..but the sort of foods they eat are relatively cheap to buy over there so even if only 20cents in the dollar makes it there it may be enough to buy food/clothes whatever.

Amy.

**Chickadee** · 30-07-2008 11:35

Yes, it makes me feel guilty, and also very very blessed.

I donate regularly to a Salvos Youth programme and to Medicins San Frontieres. That's my limit at the moment but World Vision is on the list of possibles, especially as my DD gets older.

**veve** · 30-07-2008 11:57

it is hard

I guess every little bit counts - but till they sort out the issues in their own countries (political greed being one of the big issues) .. there is only so much we can do ..

makes you hug your own kids harder though doesn't it

xx
Jen

**RedPanda** · 30-07-2008 12:00

I also feel bad. I have two sponsor children. In terms of the money that actually goes to them, I'd prefer to participate in a flawed system than no system at all. World Vision is quite upfront about how much goes to the community (70 per cent) and how much goes into admin. Unfortunately admin costs are necessary - it's too big a job for volunteers. If there's no admin, my 70 cents in the dollar won't get there. I'd prefer to give 30 cents to admin than not sponsor a child.

I do feel bad. Often I think about getting rid of one, but as long as I am still eating chocolate and drinking wine, then I think I can afford to help a child.

**mixinitup** · 30-07-2008 12:30

Nup don't feel bad at all...

**FishFace** · 30-07-2008 12:38

yes I feel terrible.
I feel it about people in third world countires and people here but even more so for kids over there.
They dont even have good drinking water.
The Uganda history never fails to make me cry.
Soldiers taking and raping young grils and keeping them as slaves..Its just heart breaking.

I sponsor and I volunteer.
I plan to go to Kitgum next year, if I am not pregnant.