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LEarn Bulletin 1

MSC archived stories - October 20, 2019

I find that important news happening around the CI world is not readily available to us even though currently we rely on CI newsroom/press releases, social media and even MSC for in the know feed. This seems particularly lacking from Spanish speaking countries, where CI operate.

We hardly know what our finest field staff leaders like Elizabeth Orellana, the Agency Director of CI Ecuador [www.uteg.edu.ec/uteg-y-children-international-alianza-por-el-desarrollo] or CI partners like Citi Foundation [https://tepasoeldato.ec/2016/12/22/160-jovenes-se-graduan-del-programa-de-formacion-laboral-hacia-el-empleo] do. (use Google Translate)

 

So, to fill in this gap thought writing this segment, whenever I can to help us all "LEarn" our right (place) to be closer to CI with a fresh insight into its activities.

 

To begin,

  • As you probably know, CI work in partnership with Aflatoun International (AI) offering social and financial education to children. The curricula are geared toward Aflatot (ages 3-6), Aflatoun (ages 6-14), Aflateen (ages 15-18), Aflateen+ (for girls) and will launch its latest curriculum AflaYouth (ages 16+) [www.aflatoun.org/method/curricula] during its biennial Global Social and Financial Skills Conference in the Netherlands from Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2019. This means, CI youth in the final 3yrs of their sponsorship program will have the opportunity to better equip them for the job market or to start their own businesses.

AI currently work with 275 partners worldwide, and in the past 2yrs CI has been chosen as their 'partner of the week' in Zambia, India, Colombia and Philippines: [youtu.be/b_yKKuR_vPA]

www.aflatoun.org/partner-week-children-international-zambia

www.aflatoun.org/partner-of-the-week-children-international-sahay-in-kolkata-india

www.aflatoun.org/children-international-colombia-agents-of-change

www.aflatoun.org/children-international-bicol

www.aflatoun.org/children-international-bicol-philippines

 

  • In the recent years, there have been significant changes made to CI as an organization fit to modern world. The restructuring exercise has led to talking about new brand identity in a seminar held in early 2018 to local employers in Kansas City. [youtu.be/IVPOu8kai-I]

The emotional connection between the sponsor and the child is what came out loud at the presentation, but I would like to see this focus on not only at the beginning or during our journey together but also when things come to an abrupt ending (as in the case of my recent experience with Estephanie) that CI need to do more to help understand and get to the bottom of individual situation rather than resorting to ‘common’ reasoning – I have personally raised my concerns with Susana (CEO) regarding this matter.

 

I hope the bulletin is newsworthy and concise. And don’t forget to PM if you have something to share, highlight (or raise your voice anonymously) in my next edition.

Comments

  1. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:52

    barbmc
    I think CI already has a lot on it's plate. I understand that a sponsor wants to to know why their child is no longer in the program, and CI does try to provide that information. CI already goes above and beyond what most child sponsorship organisations do. They do a lot of extra things they aren't required to for sponsors. Your "bulletin / newsletter" and telling CI what they "need to do" according to you, really? you could have just asked. Sadly, children do leave sponsorship, regardless of the organisation, for various reasons. We already know what most of them are. Pursuing these children and/ or their families would take away time and money that could be better used to provide for the needs of the children. Sponsors can always ask. You "personally raised your concerns with the the CEO of Children International?" You're telling them what to do now?

    October 20, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  2. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:52

    I would appreciate more active participation by CI on MSC. It would be helpful to find all or most of this information in one and the same place!

    October 20, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  3. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:53

    I find this discussion unnerving, uncomfortable and unrealistic. Children International is generous with help and information, moreover if you call to ask for more information, they provide more information. As for making everything more convenient for sponsors, one-click catering to sponsors' every "want," more than CI already does --- if you are asking for that level of constant and total personal attention, I ask this back: Do you really want the CI administration, staff and volunteers to spend all that time on you, a sponsor -- and logistically less time on children and youths struggling with poverty and food-insecurity? Are you demanding that CI be perfect, perfect for you?

    October 20, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  4. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:53

    Hi! Sorry to hear both your out of context remarks when my last point was in response to re-branding narrative of CI based on 'emotional connection' and the effects of breaking this up will have on the sponsor. The short answers to barbmc's questions – Yes, but showing my dissatisfaction of how things turned out vs. what's stated in a 'standard' letter from CEO. And for Rachel, one of CI core values is 'always learning' [www.children.org/stories/leadership-insights-blog/2019/09_september/how-values-centered-leadership-impacts-culture] and I believe sharing sponsor opinion is always welcomed. I hope people will take this post in good spirit, and not give a wrong intent!

    October 20, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  5. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:53

    barbmc
    Chelaka: Out of context remarks? I think CI is very much aware of the "emotional connection" between sponsors and the children they sponsor. If they weren't why would they even bother trying to inform the sponsor once the child is no longer in the program? I think CI goes well above and beyond what most similar organisations do. It would be nice if every family whose child dropped out of their program informed CI of their reasons, but they don't. When CI knows the reason they do inform the sponsor. Most similar organisations don't do nearly as much as CI does for their sponsors. Most sponsors know this.

    October 20, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  6. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:53

    If a sponsor wants to compile this information for the rest of us, I have nothing against it. Thanks for the effort, Chelaka.

    October 20, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  7. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:54

    barbmc
    Elemay I don't care about anyone compiling information. I'm so sorry if anyone thinks that's what I'm talking about! I've done it and shared what information I found on MSC. I've made a few suggestions to CIKC that they looked into about paying for a youths schooling after they turned 19. I didn't contact the CEO. Sponsors are important, but they aren't / shouldn't be running CI. Compiling information is fine. Talking to CI is fine Using MSC as platform trying to get what you want (in my opinion) isn't. Some sponsors have long lists of what they ideally want CI to do. CI has the expertise and experience to decide.

    October 21, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  8. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:54

    Hello everyone, sorry for the delayed response. I wanted to gather some info before responding to this post. With so many things to explain, I feel it's best to post my reply on the Message Boards where it will be easier to read. Check it out entitle "Reply - Learn Bulletin"

    October 24, 2019

    ReplyDelete

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