Life-changing trip to Kenya
BY AMANDA JONES
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The Wellingtonian
Meeting her sponsored child, Jemutai, for the first time was a life-changing experience for Wellingtonian Tanya Prejus.
She said it gave her a greater understanding of what communities in Kenya are doing to break free of poverty.
Visiting Jemutai late last year was the highlight of Ms Prejus' overseas trip because she was able to see how her sponsorship was helping the 10-year-old child and her community.
"I saw how the money is training people to help themselves, focusing on educational projects, self-help, and the change of cultural values," Ms Prejus said.
She began sponsoring Jemutai two years ago through Childfund. "I chose Childfund because 80 per cent of the funds go directly to the country and the money used has a long-term benefit. It's not simply direct aid relief."
After two years of writing to each other, finally meeting Jemutai and her family made the sponsorship experience more real for Ms Prejus.
"I have been to developing countries before so I knew what to expect," she said. "However, visiting Jemutai's school and seeing what kind of environment she is in brought me closer to her."
Ms Prejus described Jemutai as a bright, outgoing and confident child, whose dream is to some day move to New Zealand and study to become a doctor.
Jemutai lives with her mother, stepfather and half-sister, and visits her grandparents in the school holidays. Her grandmother was the person who sought help from Childfund.
"She's in a loving environment and her family want the best for her," said Ms Prejus.
"Spending a whole day with Jemutai was a special experience. "I was able to see her school, where all 12 teachers and 250 children came out to greet me."
Ms Prejus was given a beaded necklace on behalf of Ngambo Primary, and was treated like a queen, she said.
Although the trip to Jemutai's village was brief, she left with a better understanding of the work Childfund is doing and was impressed with the dedication shown.
"I would definitely recommend anyone who sponsors a child to visit them at some point. It makes it more real and you can really see the difference your money is making," Ms Prejus said.
- The Wellingtonian
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My great aunty got involved with child sponsoring after her sister died. She had been sponsoring a boy up until her death. My great aunt felt obliged to continue paying although she struggled. The child would send begging letters saying that as well as the sponsorship money he needed more money for extras. My aunty could not afford the extras but paid out going without things for herself. Anyway, hope that this organisation helped paid for this ladies airfare/trip to see her sponsor child!