Finding Beauty in Zambia

After many months of planning, Manya Oxtoby of Arundel, West Sussex, set off for Zambia feeling "apprehensive, yet excited". Along with her friend, Ronald Ward, she was set to visit the girl she has been sponsoring for nearly 6 years - 14-year-old Beauty. This is her story.

"Our first stop, after meeting up with Plan staff on the morning of the visit, was to purchase some supplies Plan had advised that the community needed most.

These were grain, sugar, cooking oil, salt, soap for clothes washing, toilet soap, along with footballs, skipping rope and supplies for the school, along with large quanties of sweets to hand round to the community.

Our arrival was greeted by Beauty leading her tribe of relatives and extended family, clapping, singing and dancing to a song. Immediately we were welcomed by everybody who made us feel part of the family - my apprehension disappeared and we could relax among these lovely, smiling, friendly people.

Plan staff answered our questions about the running of the community, and we were particularly pleased to hear the community now had safe, drinking water, before Beauty's grandfather took us to see his cattle and goats. Then it was back to the homestead to learn more of Plan's work.

They emphasised the importance of Plan's work, the necessity of primary health care, using clean water and sanitation, helping children and the adult community to realise the importance of education, children and community empowerment, early childhood development through pre-school and play centres and income generation schemes.

Then it was lunch, where Beauty and I sat together. She was very shy, but when I asked her what she wanted to be when she left school she replied in a very determined voice: a nurse.

After such a rewarding and successful visit, leaving was always going to be difficult. Our parting was very sad. Both Ronald and I had tears in our eyes on leaving such a lovely family. We were hugged and shaken by the hand by everyone and it was a real wrench to take ourselves away."