adoption
When I was young, I always thought I wanted to adopt a child. (Now, I'm not so sure I want any children, but...)
I also have an ongoing joke at the flowershop about adopting Cambodian or Haitian kids.
Now that I am married to a Japanese person, I'm pretty sure adoption is out of the question.
Today I got this intriguing offer to earn 1000 frequent flyer miles by signing up to sponsor a child through ChildFund International. I checked them out on Charity Review and they seem legit.
Pros
1) 1000 airline miles (I like to think in the immediate)
2) letters and pictures from a kid of my choice
3) ChildFund can arrange a meet-up if I want to travel
4) helping
Cons
$28/month
I should focus on my debt, but you have to look at these kids! So cute. This is like International adoption-lite
Decisions
I want a girl aged 9-12, but I can't decide what country
Top 5 picks (there are many more)
1) Cambodia (seems like they could really use it and the agency has not been there long)
2) Philippines (I went to the Philippines and stayed with a friend's family for a week. I was deeply moved by the beauty, generosity and kindness of everyone I met. Also, they seem to be a US ally, not that that should make a difference, but.... anyway, I feel a kind of love for the country. I always make Kiva loans to the women in the Philippines)
3) Sri Lanka (just seems exotic and cool)
4) Dominica (I have a friend who is Dominican, and his family is great!)
5) A tie with USA, Indonesia, Thailand, India and Brazil
OK, I am probably the most shallow and self-interested person, but at least I am up front about it. Given that I could potentially meet with my little kid someday... I want to choose a country that I want to go to. I know, my drive to sponsor is partially based around airline miles and tourism. So should I choose a place that is nice or close? I'm at a loss.
What would you do? Who would you pick?
