My husband and I sponsored a female from Zambia through Children International twelve years ago. We were led to believe that the money we paid each month was for her education as well and books and medication etc. Nelia was "graduating from what we though was High School at Children International in May. We wanted to help her through college. She told me first in her letters sent through CI that she wanted to be a teacher then a nurse. December 2016 I started to ask about how we could help Nelia with college and each time I spoke with a rep I was told a different story. I fell for how they control sponsors who express making a difference in the lives of sponsors trying to help a young with a future. I spoke about five times during the winter of 2017 and then was told Neilia was graduating and if I wanted to help her I should send $515 for her college education. I was under the impression that was for the first quarter?? I received a letter dated August 9, 2017 and received August 18th stating that Nelia graduated from the Sponsorship Program. I telephoned Children INtenational August 23, to follow through with the directions for Nelia's college education. And this is what Angie told me:
Nelia Phiri graduated from Children International program and a letter had been sent to me some time back telling me to send $515 to be placed in a bank where her mother already has an account and her mother can get the money for her needs as needed. I questioned if the $515 was for her first quarter of college and what the total required would be. She looked and said no the total is "515.00" I expressed my amazement that college was that reasonable when we pay such high college and univesity fees in the United States. Angie continued to lead me to believe that this fee was for her college tuition. She e-mailed me the letter that she said that was originally mailed to me. I decided to wait until the week-end to discuss this with my husband . My biggest concern was an account set up for Nelia in Zambia with no over sight from us.
I called again today 8/24/2017 and I got the shock of my life! Another story or the real story?? A young man (or at least he sounded that way maybe I am calling Nigeria) answered the phone and I started discussing Nelia. He gave me the very first information I am sure was the end of the story that had been building up - there are no schools for Children International - those schools we see photos of are the schools paid for by that Country. They are public schools. We are led to believe that we are paying for their education! Nelia graduated from a program at Children International she is a High School Senior in the local school of that Country!! I am shocked at the outright devious manipulation by this agency on the sponsors! When I read some of the reviews where people talk about how great they are I can tell you they are new to this ripoff in the name of children! How do we even know we are getting a picture of the child we sponsor or the letters are really theirs? Also how do we know that the $515 is all placed in the bank for Nelia's "HIgh School?" How much does Children International scam on that one?
When I spoke to Jermiah who enlightened me (we find this out at the end don't we. No more money going in there so tell me the truth.) Jerniah spoke in a sickening, whinning voice placating me, "Oh you can do this or that." I know what I can do you aren't brushing me off that easy. Children International had the nerve to put a photo of another girl in the envelope and said that she could take Nelia"s place and they would just go right on billing me for her!" "You don't even have to send her picture back." How accomadating! Jermiah you are a sickening insult. Of course I am not sending back a photo and you know that! I am a doctor and I know that game!!
We have sponsored two other children one in Dominican Republic and one in Equador and reading what other people have gone through there we are cancelling these sponsored children. We had a different one in Equador sponsored for a year or more (an extra $100 for Christmas and Brithdays etc) then somehow the family got my Facebook and started sending me photos and messages. They were partying and filthy parties lots of booze, food and clothing. They also sent a photo of their 16 year old for us to find a "boyfriend." When I contacted Children International in Kansas City they wanted to only "Speak to the Rep down there and for me to continue with the child." People who are in need of my money don't behave like this and I was shocked that the rep working with me wasn't appalled that someone gave them our information! Beware if you are thinking of sponsoring one of those sweet faces they are selling!I need Nelia Phiri's contact information or she needs to get mine so we can continue to help her if in face there is such a person.