Sunglasses hide tears of joy

Sunglasses hide tears of joy: local resident bonds with her sponsored child following visit to India
After Sally Fisher’s best friend became pregnant, Sally wanted to support a child. Following her friend’s advice, she contacted international development charity ActionAid, to find out about sponsoring a child in the developing world.

Sally (44) from Haddenham near Ely in Cambridgeshire said: "I wanted to help people less fortunate than myself and saw child sponsorship as a means of having a child, but not having a child."

Sally started sponsoring a little boy called Wankumar in September 2002. Wankumar, who is 7 years old,   lives in the tiny village of Ladmawphlong, near a town called Charapungee. Ladmawphlong is in the very wet and hilly far north east of India, about 5 hours drive from the Bangladesh border.

"Through child sponsorship, I felt I was helping someone and their community. I received a lot of pleasure learning about Wankumar and the pictures he sent," explained Sally.

Sally, who works as a secretary for the Christian Blind Mission, mentioned to her employers that she sponsors a child in India and that she would be interested in visiting him, finding out more about his life and where her money goes. As part of her work, the Mission arranged for Sally to visit one of their projects in India, which meant she could visit Wankumar.

When Sally arrived in India she became very ill. She discovered she was anaemic and in danger of not recovering in time to visit her sponsored child. But the nuns who were looking after her helped Sally make a great recovery, and arranged her transport to the village and her meeting with ActionAid staff in the area.

Despite her weakened state, Sally said it was an amazing day.  When she got to the village she had to walk down 2,040 steps cut out from the cliff face. Half way down, she met Wankumar’s mother, who was very grateful for Sally’s contributions to the community.

When Sally saw Wankumar for the first time, he seemed very shy, as he hid behind his mother.

Sally said: "I was very emotional. He was such a handsome boy. So lovely and well presented. He spoke such good English – I was amazed. I was very proud of him. It was nice to think I made a positive contribution to his life.

"I was overwhelmed. I was given flowers and sat at the head of the table. The children in the village danced and sang for me. It seemed like they practised for hours. I felt like a queen. They seemed so pleased I was there. I had to keep my sunglasses on so they couldn’t see me crying."

Sally noticed the level of schooling and education in the village was of a good standard. The villagers were in good health and the village was well kept. What struck her most was their fantastic command of English.

"I always carry my notebook with me to write down what is going on, but on this occasion I was so overwhelmed I didn’t manage to get it out," said Sally.

The visit has changed Sally’s view of child sponsorship with ActionAid. When she writes to Wankumar she can picture who she’s writing to. She pictures him and his friends dancing. Wankumar’s parents were marvellous; they even asked Sally to stay with them the next time she visits India.

"I really feel I am making a difference. I would tell anyone to do it. It was such a wonderful opportunity to visit my sponsored child. Even though I’m on a lower income now I work for a charity, I couldn’t withdraw my money, I’d feel I would be letting the boy down.

"When I was in Delhi I saw the awful poverty there. Children were begging in rubbish tips. If ActionAid weren’t around in Ladmawphlong, people in the village could be doing that. Thanks to ActionAid they have a good education and are in good health, which is very very important.

"I’m really thankful I could go and I will definitely try and go again when I can afford it."

Taking action to help poor communities is part of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY, a campaign calling for real change from Britain's leadership of the G8 group of nations and the EU in 2005. ActionAid and other charities are calling for the cancellation of Third World debt, fairer international trade rules and more aid for poor countries.

Glyn Duke, ActionAid's Head of Child Sponsorship, is keen that other people follow Sally’s example, particularly as 2005 is such a special year. "We're lobbying the government hard to do their bit, but people in Cambridgeshire can do something as well," Glyn said. "They can make it personal, by sponsoring a child in 2005. Sally’s example shows just how rewarding child sponsorship can be."