The most meaningful day for Sandra

Sandra Somers of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, has sponsored through Plan since 2005.  While travelling through South East Asia in March of this year she met her sponsored child, 11-year-old Ly-ly, for the first time. This is her story.

"When my boyfriend Simon and I planned a well-deserved 6-month trip to South East Asia, I knew it would be a great opportunity to see my sponsored child in Vietnam.

The big day came and I was filled with nervous excitement. It was something I had wanted for such a long time but I had no idea what to expect. Our driver took us to the Plan office in central Vietnam where we picked up Thuk, our translator/guide for the day. As we drove into the country, the scenery changed and felt increasingly remote. 

We finally arrived at the community headquarters and were warmly greeted by the community leader and another member of the community, who stayed with us whilst we went to see Ly-ly and her family in their home. Theirs was a small house with many people living in it, something not uncommon in that part of the world.

Ly-ly's mum was a vibrant woman and generous hostess who had clearly gone to much trouble preparing lunch for us all. Her liveliness was welcomed by me in particular as I was having trouble finding the right thing to say to everyone while Ly-ly looked as if she wanted to ask us a million questions but didn't quite know how.

I also felt humbled accepting a meal from a family who have so little.

Plan's work in Ly-ly's community includes the development and support of nursery, primary and secondary schools, as well as an irrigation system for the rice-growing fields. I was impressed with how much had been achieved there.

After lunch we went to see Ly-ly's school and the reaction of the children there was overwhelming. They looked at us in amazement as we walked through the playground, and then followed us into Ly-ly's classroom - literally pouring through the windows and doors laughing and screaming whilst trying to catch a glimpse of what us strangers were doing in their school!

We gave out sweets which seemed to make them laugh and scream even more. It was fantastic chaos! Simon and I stood in wonder with ear to ear grins, not knowing whether to laugh or cry! And there in the middle of it all, sparkling like a priceless jewel with the nobility and decorum of a princess, was Ly-ly.

She had told me previously in letters that she had won an award for 'Excellent Pupil', was top of her class in maths, and that it was her ambition to be a teacher. I could now see all this with my own eyes and I felt so much pride.

I wonder how much of this was made possible by Plan. To want to become a teacher in a community that at the time of her birth probably didn't even have a decent school, says something about what has been achieved there. I'm certain Ly-ly will fulfil her ambitions.

The friendship I have formed with Ly-ly is unique and genuine. As we said our goodbyes, I tried hard to keep back the tears, knowing that our time together was coming to an end and wondering how this shy young girl, living so far away, could have such an impact on my life.

Overall, I came away with what has to be one of the best and most meaningful days of my life. I can't wait to send my next letter and hear back about how Ly-ly is getting on in Vietnam - a practice that I hope will long continue until we are both old.

The professionalism and helpfulness of Plan in organizing our visit with Ly-ly was fantastic, from beginning to end.

It took me a while to find an organization with values with which I agreed before making the commitment of sponsoring a child. I¿m positive I made the right decision in supporting Plan - a non-religious, non-political development organization, who put children at the centre of all they do."