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Sabina gives her sponsor Alaxgendra and her daughter Marie flower garlands during their visit |
Welcoming a sponsor
It is a dream of every sponsored child and the family to welcome a sponsor into the home. You are regarded as very lucky if you eventually get that opportunity, as only few sponsors pay an actual visit to a sponsored child. As you can imagine, children try to figure out in their mind what a sponsor looks like, they have their own ideas of the sponsor's character, lifestyle etc. Although sponsored children communicate with sponsors through letters and postcards, lots is left to the child's imagination.
Sabina, a 14-year old sponsored child from Banke District in the Midwest, about 487km from the capital Kathmandu, saw her dream come true when sponsor Alaxgendra and daughter Marie took a trip from Denmark to visit Sabina and her family. This visit was not only a lucky occasion for Sabina and her family, but it spread out joy over the whole community.
Warm hospitality
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Danish sponsor Alaxgendra and her daughter Marie enjoy the family's hospitality watched by the whole community |
As this was a moment of pride and privilege for Sabina and her family, they did their utmost in welcoming Alaxgendra and Marie into their home. As a local custom to welcome guests the family hung flower garlands and kept jars filled with water and flowers by the main doors. Guests were spoilt with grilled potatoes, fresh milk, eggs and typical ginger tea; all produce from the home and kitchen garden, to great delight of the guests. Sabina and her elder sister gave a tour of the garden, showed the sheep, the buffalo and the stock of rice which they had recently harvested. Later on, the guests got introduced to other family members as well. Alaxgendra and her daughter spent a great amount of time with Sabina's grandmother who took them around her newly built house and enthusiastically showed them family pictures. It was a warming moment for both parties.
Although there were language difficulties, both sponsor and sponsored family showed appreciation, understanding and a warm love towards each other with gifts being exchanged and both guests and hosts showing a great deal of mutual respect. All this was witnessed with joyful approval of the neighbours and the larger community.
Goodbye with a smile
3 hours later it was time for Alaxgendra and Marie to say goodbye. When asked about the visit Sabina responded: "I have been eagerly waiting for this day. When other sponsors visited a sponsored child in our community, I used to feel some envy. I have so often dreamed of this day and I am so happy having them in my home."
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Danish sponsor Alaxgendra (far left) and her daughter Marie (centre) meet Sabina and her family |
Further to meeting with Sabina and her family, the sponsors also paid a visit to the local and district health posts supported by Plan International Nepal. These posts provide medical and surgical treatment in correcting deformity in children. The experience left a positive mark on Alaxgendra: "I am very much impressed with what Plan International Nepal has set up here. The activities and support provided to children and their communities make a positive difference. I will share this experience with my friends back home and make them warm to support Plan International, so they can also be part of the change that Plan International brings into the life of so many children."
(The blog is written by Plan International Nepal staff)
