Tanzania after ten years: a sponsor returns

David Coleman from Bedfordshire has been sponsoring seventeen-year-old Mwanaidi since 1995. In September, David and his friend Clive made the long trip out to Tanzania especially to see Mwanaidi on what was David’s second visit.

"The prime reason for my trip this time was to visit Mwanaidi. For me, the rest of the trip was a bonus. It was nice to go with my good friend Clive as I could share the experience with someone else.

On the day of the visit, the Plan staff picked us up from our hotel. We went first of all to the school where we picked up Mwanaidi. It was fantastic!

It was lovely to see her and as she was walking towards me it was almost unreal. We shook hands and then after a brief word with the headmaster, headed back to her home.

We met her parents and the community worker who works with the family and then sat around chatting. Mwanaidi speaks good English which was great and it was like meeting old friends.

We talked about the last time I visited ten years ago when Mwanaidi was just seven-years-old and we could all remember that it had been pouring with rain.

Next I gave the family a few gifts that I’d brought with me. Mwanaidi’s father was so interested in how the wind-up torch I’d brought him worked. I also brought some flip-flops for his wife and some games for the kids.

What seemed to touch them the most though, was the photo album I’d put together. It had the photos of Mwanaidi I’d been receiving since she was five years old and I’d added some photos of my family.

They all crowded round and laughed at the photos – I think it was very significant for them. It was also nice to see Mwanaidi use my camera to take some photos of her own – she was intrigued by it.

We moved on from Mwanaidi’s home and visited numerous Plan projects. There was a pre-school, a health clinic, a project that teaches vocational trades and a school.

The visit was very well organised and the people were so appreciative of the sponsorship and of my visit – they seemed very happy that we were there.

It was an invaluable way to learn about how Plan works as there really is no substitute for actually being there. I learned how my money is being spent and that was something I was really keen to gain from the visit. There really is no other experience like it!

On a previous visit to Africa I was struck by the poverty and I decided I wanted to help. Sponsorship through Plan has enabled me to help in a way that is personal to me; I can get involved and actually see the results.

Looking at the way Plan works really impressed me; they work very closely with the communities. And having that contact with my sponsored child is very rewarding."