Return to Rajasthan: a sponsor visits six children in India

Inspired by her first trip to India, Dr. Gillian Perry-Keene of Dursley, Gloucestershire joined Plan as a sponsor in 1999. Concerned with the struggles faced by girls in Rajasthan, she is most interested in increasing their access to education.

In January of 2008, Gillian travelled back to India to visit the two girls she sponsors there, 16-year-old Raj and 15-year-old Revti, as well as four other children who are sponsored by her family and friends: 11-year-old Rajeeb, 10-year-old Roop, 8-year-old Bablu, and 7-year-old Prema. This is her story.

"Having visited Raj three times before, we have developed a real rapport. I felt it was the right time to visit her again as my sponsorship of her will come to a close when she is married this summer.

Education is a major issue close to my heart, and on every visit I've seen the huge progress Raj is making. As an only child, she was lucky to have been able to attend school. Other children from larger families are not as fortunate.

This trip was extra-special because I was visiting not just one child but six. Except for my husband's child Roop, who I was able to visit in his village, I met with all of the children and their families at the Plan office. I saw each child on a different day throughout the week and each visit lasted about four hours.

The visits were a special experience for everyone. It was a rare day of fun for everyone. The mums in particular had a ball. Bablu¿s mother had her face covered with her sari much of the time, but she could not disguise the ear-to-ear grin she had all day long.

We chatted and I found out what everyone was up to. Gift time was especially enjoyable. Along with some items I'd brought from the UK, I bought each child and their siblings a school uniform, plus another shirt for the boys and a salwar kameez for the girls.

I think clothing and gifts bought locally are not only useful and supportive of the local community, but make for a really fun and unique shopping experience.

I thoroughly enjoy my visits with the children and their families, and during my visits I've been able to see many of Plan's health, education and agricultural projects in the area. It is wonderful to see the same friendly Plan staff I've met before. They are very devoted to their work - always so helpful, knowledgeable and kind.

It was such a tremendous experience and really wonderful to see my contributions at work. This trip to India was truly unforgettable and will certainly not be my last."