President's Blog

Child sponsorships are a very popular and effective fundraising strategy for agencies working in the developing world. When I am suffering from insomnia, I find myself riveted by some of the infomercials hawking child sponsorships.

At Episcopal Relief & Development we don’t do direct sponsorships, although it could be a lucrative marketing tool for us. We’ve made this decision for a couple of reasons, even though we are probably leaving money on the table.

First, and most important, we feel that we should be focused on communities, not individuals. There are some communities where some children are sponsored and some are not and this can create all kinds of unintended consequences—for example having sponsored and non-sponsored children being treated differently by teachers and parents in the same home or classroom. Sometimes those who are being sponsored are judged to be more “worthy.” Our view is that it is better to work with local community leaders to determine the needs for all the children and then work to meet as many of those needs as equitably as possible.

Second, there is a troubling ethical question raised through sponsorships. It can lead to the commoditization of poor children and therefore potentially de-humanizes them. Faith-based poverty alleviation needs to avoid this.

Third, sponsorships are not sustainable and set up relationships of dependence. What happens when the individual sponsoring a child loses interest?

Fourth, who benefits from sponsorships? If we’re really honest, what is our prime motivation? Do we want to do good or do we want to feel good? Can we do both? Which do we want more?

These are tough questions. Nick Kristof of the New York Times has written thoughtfully about child sponsorship programs. Click here to read his article:

What do you think about this issue?

As we mark the 40th day after Easter, I turn once again to Christina Rossetti for inspiration.

Her poem, “Ascension Day” describes Christ’s ascension into heaven and speaks of the grief of his Apostles left behind and their desire to be with Him. Yet they turn to the work that Jesus has called them, indeed all of us, to do. In Rossetti’s words:

They do His Will, and doing it rejoice
Patiently glad to spend and to be spent:
Still He speaks to them, still they hear His Voice
And are content.

If only we all could do His Will in patient gladness. How would that change the world?

The Bucintoro Returning To The Molo On Ascension Day, Giovanni Antonio Canal Canaletto

Many of our friends and supporters have helped Episcopal Relief & Development shape its strategic goals for the coming triennium.  Thank you.   

I want to report back that at its most recent board meeting, the board affirmed the following goals for the organization for the period 2009-2012. 

International Programs: Fight extreme poverty and disease worldwide, working primarily within the Anglican Communion, by supporting quality programs that promote sustainable development and provide relief and recovery in times of disaster.

US Disaster Preparedness & Response: Help equip dioceses in the United States to support congregations, agencies and communities in order to enable them to better respond to and recover from disasters that impact the vulnerable in their communities and elsewhere.

Church Engagement: Engage all Episcopalians in the work of Episcopal Relief & Development as the compassionate response of the Episcopal Church to help heal a hurting world. 

Funding: Increase and diversify revenue streams to support and sustain programs and operations.

Visibility & Awareness: Position Episcopal Relief & Development in the Episcopal Church, Anglican Communion, and the wider community as a valued partner and leader in responding to human suffering.

There are detailed objectives and work plans that support these goals and that will roll out over the coming months and years.

Let me know what you think about the new goals.