May 2015 - World Vision Charity
Members of the Horndean & District U3A met for their regular monthly meeting on Friday 1st May at Merchistoun Hall. The Members enjoyed a talk by Sue Tinney who is an Ambassador for the International Children’s Charity World Vision. Sue’s talk covered the work of the Charity and her visit to Senegal to see how it was making a difference to people’s lives.
Sue soon had her audience enthralled about her visit and the "making a difference on 75p per day" sponsorship scheme that makes an amazing difference to a child in poverty even though the amount involved is so small. She talked about who, what and where they work.
World Vision like their supporters to make visits to the countries where they sponsor children to see how their funds are used and to meet the local people who work in the communities. When Sue visited Senegal she landed in Dakar the capital city and was taken on a mini bus to see the local sites, especially the Renaissance statue, the tallest in Africa. They drove for two hours to the Christian area of Fatick which is very rural and poor where they grow cotton, sorghum and groundnuts. Their projects in this area seek to provide food security, education and health care and to make the communities self-sufficient and independent.
World Vision find out from the local communities what is required over the first two years of the life of 15-17 years of a project commitment. In 2014 donations in the UK via World Vision helped 5 million children transform their lives!
The highlight of Sue's visit to Senegal was meeting the young boy she sponsors, Laurent. It was very emotional, as she has been communicating with him for some time, exchanging letters, cards, photos, school reports and small presents.
Members made cash donations at the meeting which has since enabled Sue to purchase items for families in emergency situations e.g. water purification tablets, food for a family and toys for a children’s centre, of which I have received confirmation. The treasurer will also send a cheque directly to World Vision on behalf of the group. Several sponsorship forms were handed out to members and they can also be found on their website under sponsor a child. Sue was thanked for her informative talk and afterwards was surrounded by people wanting to know even more!
Further information about the charity and its aim to make every child free from fear can be found on their website http://www.worldvision.org.uk.
Diane Stoner, Speaker Co-ordinator