We sponsor children through
Compassion. This is a Christian organisation and overtly so. We have had 2 children pulled from the programme by their parents, one (a Ugandan boy) I had developed a bit of a relationship with.
You can give to other charities and groups and these are often better at focusing money to where it's needed. Governments and official giving works at a different level and like all government work has lots of red tape and wastage but can still do vital work often at a bigger level. Both are needed, the big projects over a large area and focussed, even individual, level.
We are so wealthy in this country. At one time if you owned a microwave you would be in the top 10% of world's wealthiest.