World Vision is "an unashamedly Christian charity organisation¹" devoted towards making a difference to people in troubled areas and "working for a world that no longer tolerates poverty²". I had always been a skeptic of organisations through which you can sponsor a child, or give money without knowing where it goes... until I attended the World Vision Youth Leader's Conference 2002.
The fact is, World Vision is a worldwide organisation that is well publicised and every dollar is accounted for and used wisely. Information is readily availiable from their site and office.
World Vision began in 1950 as the dream of Dr. Bob Pierce³ - to help out the orphans left by the Korean War. The child sponsorship programme was developed in 1953, and World Vision's huge fundraising event, the 40 Hour Famine originated in Canada in 1974. Currently, World Vision is active in 130 countries and has helped 50 million people over the past year.
I had the opportunity to talk to many World Vision workers, and being the skeptic that I am, asked many gnarly questions of them. I have discovered about their aid work in Asia, Latin America and Africa, their work for AIDS victims and in teaching preventitive measures to help combat this disease, as well as their involvement in youth aid and counselling.
I was given an outline for spending of donations and an assurance that every dollar was accounted for by a team of accountants. In 2002, 20% will go into relief (Nicaragua, Afghanistan and a 'relief bank' to respond to new emergencies); 40% into rehabilitation (street kids in Mongolia, Mali and Bangladesh, child labour in India and Cambodia, and earthquake rehabilitation in India); 15% into development (Bangladesh, India, Tanzania, Zambia and Cambodia); and the remaining 25% into starting new projects in response to needs (the uses for 2001 were stated).
World Vision, I can conclude, is a well-respected, politically neutral and well-established charity organisation of international status.
Wertperch adds (used with his permission) :- I actually sponsor a child, and was concerned that he would be indoctrinated. Nothing of the sort happens. World Vision provide much support, education and training, but leave them in their own culture.
¹ Don Lord (World Vision member and official)
² Slogan of World Vision
³ World Vision history from :- http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/comms.nsf/