I got the ad pictured in frame 2 today and it made me sad, so I made this meme. So many levels of sad:
- Sponsored ad for a charity, plausible but seems fishy.
- The needy children are positioned as "earning" the food and education they will get by your donation by writing back to you. Just way too overtly transactional.
- The advertising tactic seems to prey on the lonely.
I grew up in the 90s and 2000s and my older sister literally had a picture of a kid they "adopted" on their fridge. I think they sent them art and shit they made. I forget what charity it was. But definitely some Christian one.
Like, I don't really blame the people that do it. They have good intentions and see zero relationship between US Imperialism and the poor kid they probably arent actually getting real updates on.
But it's fucking wild this shit exists.
My parents did this, albeit before my time. I don't know if there is a real problem if done genuinely. I remember a youth (well, more children's) group I was in would sponsor a child in Africa somewhere and she'd send us letters. She sent us a Christmas card and it arrived in February, which is something I remember well. Hope she's doing well.