Debbie Langdon-Davies, whose father founded Plan in 1937, said: “If my father was alive, he would be overwhelmed with joy at how Plan Zimbabwe has changed communities’ lives for the better. I am very impressed by the passion and enthusiasm shown by the children as well.”
Emotional meeting
When she finally met the young boy who she has been sponsoring and writing to since 2000, it was an emotional meeting. Neither could hide their excitement at holding hands for the first time.
“You have grown so big!” she exclaimed. It was a poignant moment for Debbie, whose father conceived the idea of a personal relationship between a child and sponsor.
“He loved children so much. That is why he mobilised his friends and acquaintances to write letters to orphaned and underprivileged children while raising money for their education,” said Debbie.
Impressed by resilience
As well as visiting her sponsored child, Debbie was treated to a cultural welcome by the community and toured some of Plan’s projects in the area.
At the village of Mazengere, Debbie was impressed by the resilience shown by HIV positive men, women and children who formed a post test club named Evergreen. Amongst other activities the club grows nutritional crops to help boost members’ immune systems and sells the surplus.
Debbie then visited are area of Nyamutsahuni, where she was shown toilets built by the community. These were built as a result of a community-led total sanitation approach spearheaded by Plan. She also met a group of dedicated home-based care givers that Plan supports, who assist terminally ill people with household chores and provide counselling.