Laurent, sponsor of Anh, shares the story of his wonderful meeting with his sponsored child.

The day before the meeting, I feel a little anxious. How will it go? I’d had it in my mind that the sponsorship began two or three years ago, but when I looked back at Anh’s first letter, it was dated April 2021… how time flies. Anh was 12 years old back then. Remembering that she had never left her village — her furthest outing being to school — I prepare for the meeting by choosing a few photos: my family, my house, Paris, the Loire, the sea…

The big day, 26 March: a taxi drops me off at the village. Very few sponsors get the chance to travel to meet their sponsored child; I am only the second.

We set off on foot to meet the family. Anh, her little sister, and her mother are waiting for me on the doorstep. It is a moment of intense emotion when I catch sight of them. She would tell me later that she had barely slept a wink all night, she was so happy to have the chance of this meeting, after several years of exchanging letters.

Our first exchange, thanks to our translator, takes place over a cup of tea. I have a thousand questions… everyday life… where the school is… her hobbies… what she wants to do later on… her school is 12 km away… she cycles there. A tour of the house… it was built by her father, a mason. No windows, no air conditioning… a very simple house… it had been a huge financial effort for the family… a large part of the income of the father and of the mother, a seamstress, went into the materials for the house. Anh shares her bedroom with her sister… there is also a bedroom for the parents, the room where we drank tea, and the main room… the room for meals… the mother’s sewing machine.

I had prepared a few gifts for Anh and her family: another moment of emotion. Anh has tears in her eyes; her mother explains that their children have never had a present, as their income didn’t allow it, and that this is the first gift they have ever received. It is a very special moment… I tell them about France, our customs, our food.

We share a meal kindly prepared by Anh’s mother — delicious, with vegetables from their garden and chicken from their yard. I learned that when you are fond of someone, you serve the food straight into their bowl with your own chopsticks. Anh kindly gave me a piece of chicken; I returned the gesture by giving her some vegetables! Afterwards, a taxi took us to the neighbouring village so that Anh could pick out two outfits, along with a few school supplies.

Every moment is a chance for a few photos, to capture in our memories this magical, unique, indescribable moment of happiness, joy, and sharing — the simple happiness of being together.

The moment I had been dreading arrived… the moment of departure… How hard it is to part after such an exceptional time together! A few tears, a few smiles exchanged once more, the promise to send each other another letter soon — and that is how this wonderful day came to an end!

As soon as I’m back in France, one of the first things I’ll do will be… to develop a few photos… and to write to Anh!

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