Children International
Encyclopedia
Children International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to bettering the lives of impoverished children, their families and communities.
The organization achieves its goals primarily through private donations and monthly child sponsorship
, which provides a real one-to-one connection between a single child and a donor. Sponsorship aims to give poor children the tools and opportunities necessary for success by providing benefits and supporting programs for each child—primarily in the areas of education
, health
and youth
.
The Children International Sponsorship Program as of 2010, benefits more than 340,000 impoverished children and their families in eleven countries, including Chile
, Colombia
, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador
, Guatemala
, Honduras
, India
, Mexico
, the Philippines, the United States and Zambia
.
That same year, the organization opened its first centers in India, the Philippines and Guatemala. Since 1980, the number of sponsored children has grown from 2,300 to 335,000.
As of 2011, the organization continues to recruit sponsors through its website, television ad campaigns, and hiring grassroots fundraising firm Dialogue Direct. It has seventeen active centers in eleven countries, with a high fundraising efficiency of eighty-one cents to the dollar.
Children who are not yet enrolled in school
have access to sponsorship centers, which are often equipped with developmental games and toys and age-appropriate books that are their disposal.
, and referred to specialists as needed. Ongoing care is provided at the sponsorship center medical clinics, which treat everything from common respiratory infections to chicken pox.
during their routine medical checkups. Those who are seriously malnourished are enrolled in the Children International Nutrition
Program, where they may be provided with emergency food, vitamins and other support. Children, their parents and other family members may also receive dietary guidance such as food-handling and preparation classes, nutrition games and materials, and even instruction on how to grow healthy gardens.
experience, life skills, community service
, civic involvement and other social values. Youth also have the opportunity to take part in programs like organized sports leagues called Game On! where youth gain team-building skills, problem-solving, participation, learning through success-oriented interaction. The Into Employment program teaches youth valuable job-skills while providing youth a network of prospective employers.
In 2005, Children International México began to operate in the metropolitan city of Guadalajara, Jalisco
. Children International México seeks to create programs primarily focused on improving health, strengthening education, as well as training adolescents and women to become active leaders in their communities with the ultimate goal of reaching local development. http://www.children.org.mx/Quienes-somos.html
Children International México serves the following communities http://www.children.org.mx/Como-trabajamos.html:
.
Children International México's main objective in the health program is to provide proper medical attention to every child as well as promote a healthy lifestyle, in the effort to prevent common diseases. This is accomplished with the following programs and activities, implemented and offered:
Nutrition
Children International México seeks to promote healthy eating habits in order to prevent malnutrition, overweight, and obesity. This is accomplished with the following programs and activities, implemented and offered:
Education
Children International México seeks to strengthen learning abilities in both children and adolescents to refrain from issues such as failing grades that result from neglecting educational responsibilities. This is accomplished with the following programs and activities, implemented and offered:
Psychology
Children International México seeks to promote healthy domestic environment with family interaction in order to prevent domestic violence. This is accomplished with the following programs and activities, implemented and offered:
Youth
Children International México strives to strengthen leadership skills in adolescents so that they may work to improve the quality of life in their respective communities. This is accomplished with the following goals in mind as well as programs and activities, implemented and offered:
Community Participation
Children International México seeks to strengthen leadership abilities in women so that they may be agents of change and in turn impact their local communities as well as the world. This is accomplished with the following goals in mind as well as programs and activities, implemented and offered:
The organization achieves its goals primarily through private donations and monthly child sponsorship
Child sponsorship
Child sponsorship allows an individual, typically in a developed country, to sponsor, or fund a child in a developing country until the child becomes self-sufficient. This could mean financially supporting the education, health or security of the sponsored child, or in some cases all of these...
, which provides a real one-to-one connection between a single child and a donor. Sponsorship aims to give poor children the tools and opportunities necessary for success by providing benefits and supporting programs for each child—primarily in the areas of education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
and youth
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
.
The Children International Sponsorship Program as of 2010, benefits more than 340,000 impoverished children and their families in eleven countries, including Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, the Philippines, the United States and Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
.
History
Founded in 1936 Children International began as Holy Land Christian Mission. Initially, it focused on assisting children with physical handicaps and single mothers. However, in 1980, the organization responded to the expansion of extreme poverty by dropping its religious affiliation, changing its name to Children International, and becoming a secular NGO.That same year, the organization opened its first centers in India, the Philippines and Guatemala. Since 1980, the number of sponsored children has grown from 2,300 to 335,000.
As of 2011, the organization continues to recruit sponsors through its website, television ad campaigns, and hiring grassroots fundraising firm Dialogue Direct. It has seventeen active centers in eleven countries, with a high fundraising efficiency of eighty-one cents to the dollar.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship is a monthly contribution that provides resources for children and families living in poverty. Sponsorship provides children with clothing, dental, education, family assistance, medical, nutritional aid and various youth programs.Clothing
Sponsorship provides children with material benefits like new clothing, shoes and household goods. When items like clothing and shoes become too small for the sponsored children, they often pass them on to younger siblings.Dental
Dental clinics can be found at most Children International sponsorship centers. In locations without a regular dental program, medical staff monitor for potential problems and frequently refer children to dentists or specialists when treatment is needed.Education
Children eligible to attend school are provided with benefits intended to help their parents overcome the financial restrictions that might prevent their children from enrolling in school— items such as school fees, backpacks and other supplies, as well as school uniforms and in some cases, shoes.Children who are not yet enrolled in school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
have access to sponsorship centers, which are often equipped with developmental games and toys and age-appropriate books that are their disposal.
Family assistance
Children International helps ensure families have access to a network of support during disasters, emergencies or in those cases when serious life events threaten families’ well-being. Food, clothing and other emergency relief is often available, along with counseling assistance and crisis management. Sponsorship centers offer micro-enterprise loans, skills training and community awareness programs to help families improve their economic situations.Medical
Through the Children International Sponsorship Program, children ages 19 and under receive an annual medical checkup. Those with medical conditions are treated promptly, given any necessary tests and medicationMedication
A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
, and referred to specialists as needed. Ongoing care is provided at the sponsorship center medical clinics, which treat everything from common respiratory infections to chicken pox.
Nutritional aid
Children International checks all sponsored children for signs of malnutritionMalnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that results from taking an unbalanced diet in which certain nutrients are lacking, in excess , or in the wrong proportions....
during their routine medical checkups. Those who are seriously malnourished are enrolled in the Children International Nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
Program, where they may be provided with emergency food, vitamins and other support. Children, their parents and other family members may also receive dietary guidance such as food-handling and preparation classes, nutrition games and materials, and even instruction on how to grow healthy gardens.
Youth program
The Children International Youth Program provides youth ages 12 to 19 the opportunity to gain job skills training, leadershipLeadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
experience, life skills, community service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
, civic involvement and other social values. Youth also have the opportunity to take part in programs like organized sports leagues called Game On! where youth gain team-building skills, problem-solving, participation, learning through success-oriented interaction. The Into Employment program teaches youth valuable job-skills while providing youth a network of prospective employers.
Countries of Operation
In 1980, Children International officially became global by extending its programs overseas and operating in different countries around the world.http://www.children.org.mx/Quienes-somos.htmlChildren International México
Reaching out in MéxicoIn 2005, Children International México began to operate in the metropolitan city of Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
. Children International México seeks to create programs primarily focused on improving health, strengthening education, as well as training adolescents and women to become active leaders in their communities with the ultimate goal of reaching local development. http://www.children.org.mx/Quienes-somos.html
Children International México serves the following communities http://www.children.org.mx/Como-trabajamos.html:
- Paraísos del Colli Community Center, Zapopan Municipality: 5,600 children
- Santa Paula Community Center, Tonalá Municipality: 3,000 children
- Villa de Guadalupe Community Center, Zapopan Municipality: 5,500 children
- La Nueva Santa María "Zona del Cerro del Cuatro" Community Center, Tlaquepaque Municipality: 6,000 children
Goal
By the year 2015, Children International México hopes to improve health conditions, education, and life skills in more than 25 thousand children and adolescents through the sponsorship program in Guadalajara, JaliscoGuadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
.
Programs
HealthChildren International México's main objective in the health program is to provide proper medical attention to every child as well as promote a healthy lifestyle, in the effort to prevent common diseases. This is accomplished with the following programs and activities, implemented and offered:
- Medical attention and annual check-ups
- Dental attention and distribution of hygiene kits
- Health workshops in disease prevention
- Anti-parasitic treatments
- Health Promoters program for the mothers of the sponsored children within the communities
Nutrition
Children International México seeks to promote healthy eating habits in order to prevent malnutrition, overweight, and obesity. This is accomplished with the following programs and activities, implemented and offered:
- Healthy-eating workshops
- Child Rehabilitation for children facing malnutrition, overweight, and obesity
- Health Promoters program for the mothers of the sponsored children within the communities
Education
Children International México seeks to strengthen learning abilities in both children and adolescents to refrain from issues such as failing grades that result from neglecting educational responsibilities. This is accomplished with the following programs and activities, implemented and offered:
- Community Centers of Learning (ITESM)
- Computer classes at computer labs in each center
- Free Internet access at every computer lab
- Entrepreneur training
- Distribution of kits that contain school supplies (i.e. notebooks, pencils, erasers, crayons, etc.)
Psychology
Children International México seeks to promote healthy domestic environment with family interaction in order to prevent domestic violence. This is accomplished with the following programs and activities, implemented and offered:
- Psychological consultation:
- One-to-one therapy sessions
- Group therapy sessions
- Psychological attention for entire family of sponsored child
- Human development workshops
- ‘School for Parents’
Youth
Children International México strives to strengthen leadership skills in adolescents so that they may work to improve the quality of life in their respective communities. This is accomplished with the following goals in mind as well as programs and activities, implemented and offered:
- Forming young leaders
- Respecting the environment
- Life skills through sports
- Forming strong values
- Leadership in health
Community Participation
Children International México seeks to strengthen leadership abilities in women so that they may be agents of change and in turn impact their local communities as well as the world. This is accomplished with the following goals in mind as well as programs and activities, implemented and offered:
- Forming strong female leaders
- Designing, executing and evaluating social projects
- Health Promoters program—certification opportunity for mothers of the sponsored children to be 'Health Promoters' in their communities
Affiliates and campaigns
- Aura's HouseAura's HouseAura’s House is an online grassroots project, which raises funds for needy children and their families. Specifically, Aura’s House raises funds for housing, health, income generation, and education projects for needy children in developing countries....
: works with Children International on Small Scale, Doable Projects. - Lift One Project: a campaign led by Children International. A social networking site for sponsors with the desire to inspire, where they can create their very own webpage to recruit sponsors to help more children.
Journals and publications
- Field Notes: "an annual newsletter", written by agency directors
- LiftNote: a monthly online newsletter, distributed through e-mail to members of the LiftOne social networking site
- Journeys: a biannual magazine for donors, chronicling the organization's progress and accomplishments
Lift one community
Sponsors are able to socialize, communicate, organize, and advocate on a social networking site called LiftOne. Members create their own profiles and contribute blog posts and photographs to the community. Called "Lifters," these online activists come from around the world, with the large majority being active donors to Children International.Lift One Project:Pen pal program
Children International seeks to create a distinct, individualized connection between donors and their sponsored children. In order to accomplish this, the organization hosts an international "pen pal" style program in which letters are exchanged and both benefactor and recipient are able to get to know each other personally, sometimes over a span of years. In addition, CI donors receive a photograph of their child yearly, as well as an annual progress report that tracks how the cycle of poverty is being broken.Reception
- In 2009, Consumers DigestConsumers DigestFounded in 1960 and published by Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, Consumers Digest is an American magazine. The magazine is a horizontal-based consumer products review periodical. Commentary and editorial features are published as well. This includes items of consumer interest, new products,...
named CI one of their "top-rated charities." - Charity NavigatorCharity NavigatorCharity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. Its stated goal is "to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities."-About:...
gives Children International 3/4 stars. - The Better Business BureauBetter Business BureauThe Better Business Bureau , founded in 1912, is a corporation consisting of several private business franchises of local BBB organizations based in the United States and Canada, which work through their parent corporation, the Council of Better Business Bureaus .The Better Business Bureau, through...
has given CI accredited status, meaning that it "meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a Seal Holder." - Children International is part of the Combined Federal Campaign, which promotes charitable giving among government workers in the United States. Its number is 12078.
- The National Disaster Coordinating Council in the Philippines awards Children International top honors in disaster relief.