Visa Donates Free Books to Needy Children Supported by Children International

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In an online effort to put new books in the hands of poor children around the world, supporters of Children International helped Visa donate $50,000 towards the purchase of books for impoverished children, the result of the organization's "Click for a Cause" program sponsored by Visa Inc. The donation will allow Children International to buy books to fill nearly 100 libraries in seven countries with new textbooks and storybooks that will provide children with the opportunity to strengthen their reading skills.

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The World Bank reports that 1 billion people are unable to read or write their own names – many of those are children and adults the charity supports. In developing countries where these statistics are rooted, Children International is raising awareness of the need for updated, new, and educational books to help children break the poverty cycle.

Through an online campaign, Children International encouraged an engaged internet audience to simplify the way they might donate a book to a child in need. Through "Click for a Cause" hosted on Lift One, the charity's online social network, Visa donated $1 towards the purchase of books, up to $50,000, each time supporters clicked on the website's campaign icon, until we reached our goal of 50,000 clicks.

The supporters of Children International sent a clear message by making sure the goal of 50,000 clicks was reached. With the ease of participation and the free donation of books in mind, supporters reached the goal, demonstrating their commitment that literacy helps a child develop the tools needed to fight poverty and work toward a more stable and promising future.

Children International's President and CEO Jim Cook said, "This is a great opportunity for us and for our children. Visa's sponsorship of our 'Click for a Cause' program helped us purchase books for our libraries in impoverished communities around the world. Their support of this program combined with our engaged network of supporters will allow us to advance our mission to help children find their way out of poverty."

About Children International:

Established in 1936, Children International is a humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. Children International's programs benefit more than 335,000 children and their families in 11 countries around the world including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Zambia, Honduras, India, the Philippines and the United States. For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org

SOURCE Children International