A Bolivian journey: more than just a visit

Three years ago Jill Gramann visited Peru and saw how Plan was working with communities and helping to make a difference. Upon her return to the UK, Jill started sponsoring a child herself in Bolivia and in September this year made the journey to visit her sponsored child, Hugo. Here is her story of that visit:

"It was never going to be just a visit. Hugo's mother had been in hospital for ten months since the birth of his youngest sister and the apparent permanent departure of her husband had meant that all the children were now living with their maternal grandparents in a village some 15km from their home.

So it was that on a brilliant bitterly cold September morning I was buying staple foodstuffs in the market with the local Plan staff, who had filled me in with the full story.

I was very impressed with the detailed knowledge of family circumstance Plan had, given that there are 47,000 children in Plan schemes in Bolivia and almost 15,000 in Plan Altplano itself. We bought huge sacks of rice, pasta and sugar and set off on the two-hour drive. We passed schools and medical centres whose walls proclaimed Plan's presence in the community.

I was taken to visit Hugo's mother in hospital. The room was full of family. I recognised Hugo from the only picture I have of him; he is quiet and serious. So I sat on the bed, held his mum's hand and tell her how happy I am to be there. The truth is I am so sad to see her trapped, far from parents and children.

She smiled so much he face almost split in two. `Madrina, Madrina' (godmother) she said, clutched my hand, and thanked me for my visit.

The ice-breaker with Hugo was the book of photos I had taken for him and his family. We live near a 'heritage' railway and I had included photos of steam trains and the countryside we live in. Then it was time to leave Hugo's mother and take everyone back to the community.

In the Plan truck out to the grandparents¿ home, Hugo was fiercely quiet. He stared out of the window seemingly determined not to cry. As the eldest child there are such huge responsibilities on his little shoulders and he clearly misses his mum.

Back 'home' he helped unload our shopping. Hugo's granddad cycled the miles to the shop to fetch drinks. He is a man of quiet pride in his community, and self-respect that will be a good influence on the grandchildren living with him.

It then became clear that it was time to leave. Last photos reveal that everyone maintains a serious face in front of camera, not just Hugo. He stands behind a ruined wall watching the preparations for departure, then runs out: 'When are you coming back again?' This time he smiles, a real smile of friendship and happiness, and I know that somehow I will come back."