The family walks through the door at the restaurant. I immediately recognise the young man I've been sponsoring from the frequent photos World Vision have been sending me over the years, though he looks a bit older than in the previous photo I received.
I have in advance prepared some photos of my family and friends, my house and a few photos from my trip to get here. His father is very interested in my travels, and we talk a little about the different countries.
He is a lovely, confident 14 year old and he reflects well on his parents. They are both lovely people. I have been sponsoring him since he started school, and he will be finishing school one year from now.
After lunch and lots of photos, he goes back to school and the family go back to work on their farm. Later that day he is playing soccer with his team, so I'm quite pleased that one of the presents I got is a new football for him.
I jump into the World Vision truck and we head to the river for a look at one of the World Vision projects, a small pumping and bottling station producing clean, safe drinking water.
As we drive out there, I pick up my phone. I simply have to make a video to show Paulina, when I get back to our hotel. The dirt road is the worst road I've seen on my trip. Lots of pot holes full of water, and everything has turned into a muddy chaos. I'm so happy I'm in a 4W truck and not on my bike. The homes are also the most basic houses, I've seen on my trip. However, what these people lack in material wealth, they certainly have in social wealth. There are no lonely people here.
At the water facility I'm warmly greeted by the team. They thank me for supporting World Vision so they can produce clean drinking water for the community. They show me the process and quality control. The women are very interested in my travels and the purpose, so we talk about how women can encourage each other and be courageous and strong.
Meeting the child I've been sponsoring and seeing the work World Vision does has been very encouraging. Sponsoring a child won't solve all the poverty problems in the world, but it will have an impact on the generation of tomorrow and their communities. I will continue to be a strong supporter of World Vision and encourage others to sponsor children.
While I'm travelling and have no income, World Vision has agreed that I can do a collection for a lump sum for the next 12 month's sponsorship. If you would like to support this, please visit https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/world-vision-sponsorship