Plan sponsor Gilly Smith paid a second visit to her sponsored child, Rita, in Ghana and met her new sponsored child, Elizabeth, for the first time.
“Driving up the rough path towards Rita’s village I had mixed feelings. I was visiting her perhaps for the last time as she was now 18 years old and about to come off the sponsorship programme. I had some fantastic memories and photographs of a previous trip five years before.
“Rita and I were reunited in the schoolyard, we had a short formal meeting with her Head Teacher then set off on the short walk to her family home.
“The two of us walked ahead of the Plan Ghana staff, and my friend Patricia, and it was a nice opportunity to exchange a few private words. Although quiet and shy, Rita seemed quite relaxed as she softly answered my questions about her family. It was so good to see her again!
Exciting and emotional
“Once at the family home there was much excitement: Rita’s Mum, older brother Eric and three young sisters, Patience, Rebecca and Veronica, were all there to greet us. It was very emotional to see them all again. We were soon joined by other relatives and friends. Joseph, from Plan Ghana, helped to translate the conversations.
“We exchanged news and updates about our respective families. Everyone seemed genuinely interested in the stories we were sharing. Rita sat quietly at my side, a little overwhelmed by it all, but we often exchanged a few private words and smiles.
“Vanda, one of Rita’s school tutors, told us that she was doing very well. We discussed the differences in school behaviour and discipline in our respective countries and the universal nature of everyday stresses, albeit for different reasons! It was sad to be reminded about the passing of Samuel, Rita’s father, and learn about the extra pressures the family were facing as a result. Eric gave an eloquent and heart-felt account of this.
Continuing the relationship
“We exchanged gifts and as our meeting drew to a close we talked about the possibility of my continuing the relationship with the family by sponsoring another of the younger siblings. We all agreed this would be great – and provide an excuse to return to see the family in the future!
“A few days later we travelled to meet my new sponsored child. When we arrived in the schoolyard, Elizabeth was waiting and it felt fantastic to meet each other as we exchanged hugs. She seemed a bit apprehensive at first but we soon saw her beautiful smile for the first time. Everyone was very welcoming as we talked briefly with her teachers about the school and Plan’s contributions.
“After a short drive to Elizabeth’s family home, we were given a very warm reception by her family and neighbours. Elizabeth held my hand as we walked towards the formal meeting place. The whole family seemed very happy to see us and it was a wonderful to see so many excited faces.
“We learned that the livelihood of the family came from farming and trading and talked about recent climate changes and how it had affected crops.
Fun and games
“Every now and again, Elizabeth would quietly put her arm around me and we would share little smiles and glances. When we asked Elizabeth what games she liked to play with her friends, she and her sister gave a lively demonstration of ‘Ampe’, involving a lot of jumping and nifty footwork!
“We had brought some gifts and we all had fun together trying to inflate balloons and blow bubbles with varying degrees of success! We were surprised and delighted to receive beautiful beads that Elizabeth’s mum, Doe, and other female friends and relatives had made for us, as well as bracelets and fruit.
“Elizabeth promised to write to me and keep me up to date with her family and school news. It was hard to leave but as we drove away we carried with us unforgettable memories of another very special Plan visit.”