MSC archived stories - May 4, 2019
I have seen some of the children on the waiting list wearing merchandise shirts/tops when visiting the community center or taking part in their annual photoshoot.
Is Kimberlin (Colombia) in Youth Health Corp, and what about Evelin (Ecuador) in cardigan, Aaron (Ecuador) and Nelson (DR) in CI branded t-shirts?
Is this an indication of the child participated in a special program/activity, receiving a prize, or even feeling closer to CI? Also, do children always carry/wear CI ID strap when receiving benefits plus sponsors wear it when visiting?
I think, as an extension to the Sponsor Connect project in Quito, if we can see them describing CI experience in video clips (embedded into the photos) would be the best way of connecting with potential sponsors!
Thanks for the suggestion about videos embedded into photos, I've passed it along. In some locations, t-shirts have been given to volunteers, children and youth who participate in certain programs. In those cases, the agency included t-shirts in the program design, budget and implementation. It would depend entirely on the type of program implemented and intention of the agency.The children and youth might wear these same t-shirts at their discretion. Of course, the agencies might also provide a youth with a CI shirt to wear for a photo if needed.
ReplyDeleteMay 6, 2019
Also, each youth has an id card that they use. They can carry them in any manner they choose, pocket, lanyard, purse. From what I've seen, unless it's an older youth, the guardian usually keeps a pretty tight grip on the id card. We do not give the id to sponsors when they visit.
ReplyDeleteMay 6, 2019
Thanks Debbie! Wearing CI branded shirts most likely to signify child's engagement in the program, which is a good sign! I was going to take on all 4 of them, but noticed that beautiful Evelin finally found a sponsor (just before me) after 3yrs of waiting!
ReplyDeleteMay 6, 2019
Wow chelaka, you are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteMay 7, 2019
Congrats chelaka on the 4 additional sponsor children. The CI shirts are alluring 2nd to the children of course. Perhaps some day CI will have them setup on an on-line printing site so sponsors could get them too. Royalties going to support CI of course. Another thing I have learned about shirts. There are many children with shirts with English sayings. I thought it was used clothing but on my visit I learned it was prized clothing and the in trend. It is so in that I could not find a shirt for myself with local language sayings. Seems that everyone was selling English. Adults were wearing them too and I am fairly sure they had no idea of the translation of the sayings on their shirts.
ReplyDeleteMay 7, 2019
I like that idea for the CI kids. The shirts and ID cards are good ideas for them too. Perhaps, in the future when CI does choose to give sponsors t-shirts, sweaters,jackets, the outfits and/or souvenirs can say something like "Proud sponsor of a child from Children International," underneath it would have the website for CI and on the back it could have like the 7 continents with the names of the countries, and/or the cities where CI has field offices. This would tell others about CI and/or sponsorship. I hope that CI will think about doing this for sponsors someday. Keep us posted about this CI!
ReplyDeleteMay 7, 2019
Great ideas frosty & got2luv: For many years CI has a store that sponsors could order logo t-shirts, mouse pads, coffee and travel mugs, etc., but alas there was not enough interest to keep it going. I've passed both your suggestions :-)
ReplyDeleteMay 8, 2019
Wow Chelaka, did you just sponsored new 3 children? You are truly a blessing, Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteMay 8, 2019
You could even a separate post to welcome your 3 new children..
ReplyDeleteMay 8, 2019
Owel's been rocking his CI lanyard in all of his EG photos recently. Never seen one for John Denver so I just assume he's more involved (or maybe just keeps better track of stuff hah).
ReplyDeleteMay 8, 2019
Great post with interesting information in the comments, as well. The first time I read this, I missed the fact that three of these were new sponsorships for you. What a wonderful sponsor you are!
ReplyDeleteMay 8, 2019
Thank you! I'm sure CI will takeaway all the wonderful ideas presented here to improve on sponsor experience. When I first saw Evelin, she reminded my own childhood wearing a talisman (for protection from evil spirit) that my parents used to put on my neck – just like the one she is wearing. Since Monday, I was praying for Evelin to have her new sponsor be involved as I wanted, but to my delight CI just informed me that she has come back to me! I couldn’t contain my emotions when I heard the news!
ReplyDeleteMay 8, 2019
Congratulations for Evelin as well, you have now 12 children! Amazing.
ReplyDeleteMay 10, 2019
Back when CI maintained the store that Debbie mentioned, I purchased a CI polo shirt--I really wish I had ordered more than one! It has the old logo instead of the new one, but I still wear it every chance I get. =)
ReplyDeleteMay 14, 2019