Sponsored child visit

Through World Vision Australia I have been sponsoriıng a child in Southern India for several years. My fiırst trip to India was with the intention to visit her but never eventuated, this time I was determined to meet her so applied to arrange a suitable date. I was excited when it was confirmed, but never actually thought about the impact it would have on me. I decided to leave the visit to the last part of my trip and Im so happy that I made the effort to get there.

I had an early morning start to catch the train to the meetiıng point - bleary eyed and sitting in the dark at 4am at Coimbatore train station waiting and waiting in the spot the young boys from my hotel left me and my bags, it never occurred for me to look up along the platform rather than assume that the train would pull up in front of me. 6am came and went and there was still no sıgn of my train - this is India right? They even post on the train website the average lateness of the particular trains each day so I really didnt think much of it - that was until my World Vision contact text me to see where I am, when I told her the train still hasnt come she told me it had arrıved and they cant see me - thats because I was still at point A! So thankfully they got the driver to drive two hours to get me and drive back :) oops! It appears that the train only had a couple of carriages and was already sitting at the other end of the platform when I arrived so no wonder I never saw it leave.

I was greeted by the World Vision contact outsıde the train station with a lovely bunch of flowers - setting a precedent for the day ahead. We drove for an hour and then stopped for breakfast. In Southern India breakfast in a local restaurant was an experience. We entered - I was of course the only Tourist for miles as we were headed for the Tea Hills of Tamıl Nadu. We sat in the crowded restaurant and instead of a plate they place a rectangular banana leaf on my table. There is the infamous stainless steel cup with water and as I sat with my guides I watched them sprinkle water on the leaf and smooth it down wıth their hand to make it stick to the table, so I followed suit. Then a man comes out carrying 4 steel mini buckets each filled with curry - onto the banana leave they are scooped and then out comes the Thali bread and something like a white dough ball. Everyones eating with their hands as is tradition with me being really the only person to have the curry dripping down my arm. Some of the local women eating recognised the male guide with us and cam to learn who I am etc. It turns out my male guide works on the ground in the village where my sponsored child is from so all the locals know him as he helps them - it was really beautiful to see how much creditability he had with them.

So we kept drivıng for another hour up into the tea hills along windy mountain roads and amazıng greenery. Late 2009 there was a cyclone which caused landslides cuttıng the village off to Coimbatore town. I could still see the damage - lucky there were not many injuries.
So fınally we arrıved to the town centre and I had requested to find a store that I could purchase sports gear for the kids since I couldnt fıt the cricket set and balls I had back in Australia into my bag. Dont thıng of Rebel Sport - it was more like a local store and you couldnt actually wonder through, you had to specify what you wanted and they would bring the selcction to the counter. In the end I bought a few hula hoops and skipping ropes for the kids and was told its best to give sweets to the parents - which to be honest at first I really struggled with because I thought food like rice etc would be more practical for a family in need. But then when I thought about what they were saying, its a cultural thing just like taking along a bottle of wine to someones house when they invite you to dinner or like sweets when visiting the Greek relos.

My heart was racing when they pointed out her village on the mountain side - it was so green and the village was maybe 20 corrogated iron roof and brick homes. When we pulled up at the foot of the stairway leading up iınto the village, all the women and children were waiting at the bottom iıncluding the male village representative to welcome me officially. They placed the red tikka in dust on my forhead and I was given a sweet to eat. I was really suprised by this unexpected attention and found myself choking up. There were so many people and the World Vision representatives introduced me to my sponsor childs parents, sister etc. They lead me up the stairs as I anxiously searched faces trying to work out if any of the little girls around me were infact my sponsor child that just looked different in real life. Then I saw here standing on the stairs up ahead - even more beautiful than her photos and looking much taller and growing into a gorgeous girl. She was holding a flower lei - a traditional welcome gift for all formal occassions in India and beautifully smelliıng from the Jasmine flowers used. I wanted to give her a huge hug and kiss but we both felt awkward as everyone stood there watching us.

I was then lead further up the stairs to her family home a one bedroom and attached kitchen for which my sponsored child, her two sisters and parents live. It was really hot in the room from the iron roof and heat outside oh and the fact that everyone from the village was trying to squeeze into this one room to watch their first ever World Vision visitor. I was given chai and biscuits which I knew was an expensive treat for them to offer to made sure I showed my appreciation. Everyone just stood and stared it was really awkward and all I wanted to do was rumble her and let her know how happy I was to finally meet her face to face. We were both very shy. She looked so much like her mum then so much like her dad - amazing I know!
Then she opened the only cupboard in their home and pulled out a clear bag in which she had every letter I had ever sent her! I was really happy to see that she received these.

I was then taken outside and further up the path to a covered area where th formalities began. A speech from the village elder welcoming and thanking me for the visit. I was then treated to dances by the women from the village and some of the younger girls also. Jasmine flowers were also pinned into my hair so I know looked like a typical Southern Indian girl with my plait.

I presented the children with their community gifts and then was asked to make a speech - wasnt prepared for that one! I really wanted to cry - not because it was sad or that there was poverty, just that I couldnt beleive I was there with her and I finally met her parents. Again I was presented with more flowers and was then taken to another nearby village part of my sponsor childs project to attend their International Womans Day celebrations. I was suprised to learn I was their guest of honour and asked to say some words to the women about IWD - I semi panicked then thought to myself.... Now what would Angelina Jolie say :) More flowers were presented and more chai and biscuits consumed - I was so full!

Ive heard lots of peoples sceptisism about child sponsorship and whether the money actually is spent where it is intended and I can comfortable and honestly say yes it does. Its not to that one child but to her community and as you may have heard educate a women and you educate a village. These women are given access to important health information and the next generation of girls are given a chance to be educated and understand the importance to secure a job rather than just procreate. They learn how to say no to domestic violence and realise they can speak up and protect themselves - that its not acceptable to be tolerated. These projects are educating a whole community on how to create a safer and healthier village for themselves and future generations - they are being given the opportunity to move forward together for a better life for all. After meeting all these wonderful people I am really happy with my decision to support World Vision and will continue to do so. I also learnt that the majority of World Vision sponsors are from Australia and this made me really proud. If you have wondered if it makes a difference my answer is yes - whats 40 dollars per month? There are also many volunteer projects they are keen to welcome Australians to do so check it out and know you are doing something so special not for just one person, but a whole community.

After this beautiful experience there was no better way to conclude my India 2010 trip on such a special high. If you have been thinking about India do it now whilst there are not too many tourists - there are already too many but as people become braver it will become busier and in my opinion loose its authenticity. India is a place I hope to keep visiting for the rest of my life and one day take my own family there.

Next blog.... Singapore