Being a blogger has allowed me to experience many amazing opportunities and I am really excited to share my next one. I am partnering with World Vision to spread the word about their new program Chosen. In partnership with World Vision, I will be traveling to Ecuador to take part in a Chosen event and you can be part of it too! Let’s work together to help as many families as we can.
What is World Vision?
If you are not familiar with World Vision it is a global humanitarian organization who over the last 70 years has specialized in helping children, families, and their communities by walking alongside them and helping them combat poverty and injustice.
World Vision is an international partnership of Christians whose mission is to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God. -World Vision Mission Statement
When World Vision works with community leaders to develop a plan to address the needs of the community. The plan is to stay on the ground with the local community for about 15-20 years. Once World Vision steps away the community will be able to own and maintain the development that has been accomplished.
The funds provided by the sponsor are used towards programs that will benefit both the child as well as their community. For example, the school that was built in Uganda last year, about half of the kids at that school were part of the sponsorship program. But, every child attending that school was benefiting from the education programs World Vision had implemented.
You can explore more about how World Vision works, the sponsorship model, what it means to be community-centric, and more HERE.
What is Chosen and How is it Different?
Sponsorship is awesome because it provides funds to establish or improve access to basic needs. Things like medical care, regular access to clean water, sustainable food sources, shelter, and more.
Traditionally child sponsorship programs give the sponsor the power of choice. A sponsor goes to their website and scrolls through a list of children all over the globe who live in communities where World Vision is a partner. And a sponsor will choose a child based on a variety of reasons.
World Vision is the first to flip the script and put the power in the hand of the child. For the first time in its seven-decade history, World Vision is launching a new invitation into child sponsorship. By empowering children to choose their sponsors through Chosen.
Poverty steals choices from kids. World Vision believes it’s time to give those choices back. Empower a child to take hold of their future—starting with the chance to choose you as their sponsor.
Watch the video below to see how World Vision has transformed sponsorship.
How Does Chosen Work?
I along with a group of other bloggers will be in Ecuador visiting with the families of the children and participating in a Chosen event. During this event, the photos and information of the sponsors are presented to the children for them to chose who will be their sponsor. This way no child is left waiting to be chosen because the power to choose in their hands.
Once a child has chosen a sponsor the sponsor is informed and receives a photo and general information about the child. You as the sponsor then get to foster an independent relationship with that child. You’re able to correspond with them by mail or (where available) email, send small packages, pray for them, and make extra financial gifts through World Vision that contribute directly to that child’s and family’s specific needs.
It is an amazing opportunity to empower a child to take hold of their future.
How You Can be Chosen by a Child in Ecuador
On Monday, September 30th I along with other bloggers will be at a Chosen event with the children in Ecuador. You too can be part of this event. Between September 20th – 25th sign up is open to be chosen by a child in Ecuador.
Sign-up to be one of the sponsors chosen by a child in Ecuador and we will bring your photo with us, and I’ll be there when your new sponsored child chooses you. All that you need to sign-up is a photo and be willing to commit to sponsoring a child for $39 a month.
If you have ever considered sponsoring a child this is a great way to start!
Answering Some Questions You May Have
World Vision is at its core a Christian humanitarian organization. Is being or becoming a Christian required in order to receive help?
No. World Vision is a signatory to the International Red Cross Code of Conduct, which includes the imperative that “aid is given regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind. Aid priorities are calculated on the basis of need alone.”
While the majority staff is Christian, the policy states that World Vision will not select partners or children on this basis, nor insist on the delivery of Christian messaging, nor use aid to induce a person to change religion. World Vision is inspired by Christian values and seek their work to be a testimony to the example of Jesus Christ.
Is evangelism a part of World Vision’s projects?
No. World Vision does not proselytize. The organization does not demand that people hear any religious message or convert to Christianity before, during or after receiving assistance.
Educational activities based on Christian values may occasionally be included in World Vision projects if appropriate and desired by the community. However, World Vision respects the religious beliefs and practices in countries where it operates and seeks mutual understanding with people of all faiths.
Whenever appropriate, World Vision works in partnership with local churches and other faith-based organizations in an effort to work inclusively and collaboratively within existing community structures. Our focus is to respond to human needs, and our compassion and professionalism reflect our faith.”
When was the model changed from sending money directly to the children’s family?
A few decades ago, the former model where a donor’s gift went directly to a child was found to lead to a few problems. First was that it led to jealousy between people who were or were not in the program, sometimes even siblings. And second, once a program ended, people sometimes found themselves back where they’d started because the community was not empowered to continue that progress.
How to Experience Chosen in Ecuador
Experience something that’s never been done before. Through World Visions’s Chosen Program, kids have the power to choose their own sponsor — and one of them can be you! Sign up to be #chosen.
You can follow along on my trip day-by-day on Instagram and Facebook. You can also follow #Chosen on Instagram to follow everyone. I’ll be back here to share more of my photos from the experience.
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