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.
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.