Auckland sponsor, Hilary Kitto reflects on her visit to
Zambia to meet her sponsored child, Memory who lives in World
Vision New Zealand's Siachitema community development
programme.
"I wasn't prepared for my life to be
changed as a result of meeting Memory and seeing the changes I have
helped make happen in her community.
"As a Kiwi who grew up in Zimbabwe I've seen poverty, as well as
what I would call 'ineffectual aid'. My key goal was to observe
firsthand how Memory's community was working with World Vision and
to make sure my money was being well spent.
"My sister Catherine, who joined me on the journey, lives in
Zambia. She was highly skeptical of my support of World Vision's
Child Sponsorship programme and even suggested that Memory probably
didn't really exist. How wrong she was!
"Memory's life has been completely changed as a result of the
community development programmes made possible through Child
Sponsorship. World Vision and the community have worked together to
build a dam and now Memory doesn't have to walk for miles to
collect water. She is also attending school. At the time of my
visit, a new high school was being built, which means when Memory
gets old enough to attend she won't have to sit on logs in a
makeshift outdoor classroom.
"I was truly humbled when I saw Memory's mum cope without the
things I take for granted. The family's strength of spirit and
generosity is incredible. It was one of the hardest things I've
ever done to accept the large bag of peanuts they gave me as a
gift.
"I can honestly say these people are not looking for a hand out
but a hand up."
To find out more about sponsoring a child click here.