| Adopting a child can be complicated. Apart from an | | | | be providing schooling for your sponsored child, |
| ocean of paperwork, waiting months for decisions, | | | | medical and health care, clean drinking water, and |
| and the limited number of children available for | | | | most important, hope. Many Christian ministries are |
| adoption in the United States, adopting can also cost | | | | actively involved in child sponsorship programs, |
| a great deal of money. If you choose to sponsor a | | | | ensuring that these children receive the practical, |
| child or children instead, that money could go toward | | | | day-to-day help they need to make their lives better, |
| helping many children. | | | | and spiritual guidance as well. Every dollar counts, and |
| International adoption - a new trend | | | | the money you send really does make a difference. |
| Many U.S. citizens are now looking further afield to | | | | Look for organizations that have a well-established |
| adopt children in need. The recent earthquakes in | | | | history of work in the region. The power of the |
| Haiti and Chile brought to the world's attention just | | | | Internet has made our world seem smaller, meaning |
| how desperate the orphans and children of these | | | | that you can instantly find out about your chosen |
| poorer countries are, and how much they need our | | | | charity online and can be sure your money is going to |
| support, love and help. But unscrupulous organizations | | | | children who need your help the most. |
| profiting from the trafficking of children have also | | | | Before you choose your child sponsorship |
| highlighted just what extremes some people will go | | | | organization, don't be afraid to contact them directly |
| to in an attempt to "buy" a child. Responsible | | | | and ask them questions about their policies, their |
| organizations and any reasonable-thinking individual will | | | | mission statement, their commitment to Christian |
| condemn this outrageous behavior, as children are | | | | values, and their ethics. Remember, the most |
| not commodities that can be bought and sold like a | | | | important person in all this is the child. That child's |
| used car. This is why anyone who wants to make a | | | | well-being is paramount, and choosing the right |
| difference in the lives of children in need around the | | | | organization is an important consideration in any |
| world can help best by adopting or sponsoring a child | | | | decision to sponsor a child. |
| through a recognized organization or child sponsorship | | | | But it's not just sponsorship that helps children in |
| charity. | | | | need around the world. Awareness of the charity |
| How easy is it to sponsor a child? | | | | among your friends at your local church or in your |
| Reputable child sponsorship charities ensure that | | | | community can encourage others who may not have |
| every dollar you donate goes to the child and his or | | | | considered child sponsorship to become involved. We |
| her community, improving not only the child's life, but | | | | live in a "global village" - isn't it about time we got to |
| the lives of those in the community, too. By making a | | | | know our neighbors a little better? |
| simple monthly payment of a few dollars, you could | | | | |