On 10th January this year, World Vision child sponsors were on a week-long visit to Xieng Nguen Area Development Programme (ADP), Laos, to meet their sponsored children.
Two of them share their thoughts on a meaningful start to their new year.
Neo Han Lip
World Vision child sponsor since 2005
"Having been a child sponsor for the past five years, this trip gave me the opportunity to finally meet my sponsored child, Tong.
The child and I were really excited, and we managed to have a good chat. Tong is 12 years old now. He drew some pictures for me and I still keep his artwork as a souvenir.
I also placed a photo taken of us in my bedroom to remind me of the short but meaningful time we spent together.
It was great to see him run, play, smile, and above all, I know that the little monthly contribution I make does translate into a huge difference in his life.
It was a great trip. Besides getting to know a group of fun-loving and awesome fellow child sponsors, the visits to the various schools supported by World Vision and the time spent with the children were inspiring.
We saw the humble lives that they lead, but at the same time we also saw the brightest and most genuine smiles beaming from these children, and that touched me deeply."
Danny Tan
World Vision child sponsor since 2009
“Meeting my sponsored children – Sad, Kenchahn and Lath – has got to be the biggest highlight for me and my wife, Helen. We have seen the photos and have written to the children but the feeling of seeing them in person was totally different.
When we were on the boat en route to the village, the inner joy and more importantly, the anticipation and excitement of meeting these three children face-to-face go beyond words. It was like meeting a long-lost kin.
Since the day we signed up to sponsor the children, we have felt a connection. So the meeting was the completion of that connection in a tangible way.
We are very thankful to the local field staff in Xieng Nguen ADP. We saw how hard they work and the sacrifices that they put in. To the World Vision folks in Singapore who arranged the trip to the entire team in Laos, you guys inspire me. I feel so humbled by your actions.
I will continue to support World Vision’s efforts. I want to sponsor a few more children. That’s not all. I want to go back next year and if situations allow, I hope to plan a longer stay to volunteer my service.”
Join us on a child sponsors visit. Click here to view our 2010 trip schedule.
To experience the joy of helping a child out of poverty, click here to sponsor a child today.
