Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso November 4-28, 2011

November 21

Today is the day to meet my sponsored child, Dieudonne. We were meeting him at the school right next door to the SIM compound, and the Christian Children's Fund (CCF) sent their car to pick us up at 9 am (Andrew, David, Terry and I). We asked Andrew and David to join us to help with the interpretation, to take pictures and to video tape so that Terry and I could focus on the visit. Dieudonne attends a school further up the road and would arrive shortly after 9. When we arrived some of the school children were lined up in two rows and singing a welcome song. Terry and I walked between the two rows and greeted the children. Right after that Dieudonne arrived by moto. I was thrilled to see him - he had grown to be such a fine and handsome young man. He had a huge smile as we greeted each other. 

The CCF representatives set up chairs outside and talked about the sponsorship program. They told us there are about 6,000 people in Mahadaga with 871 sponsored children. This allowed them the funding to provide proper water, health care and education to the children and also to benefit the whole community.

We toured the pre-school and kindergarten classes. Both groups of children sang for us, and we gave them candy afterward. 

We travelled to Dieudonne's home about a mile down the road. We turned down a little dirt road and followed a mud wall for a short way until there was an opening. Inside was a little community. The village ladies showed their excitement and approval by making their African chant sound at our arrival. Dieudonne led us to the three huts where his family lived. We met his Dad, Mom, two brothers and one baby sister. His Dad expressed deep gratitude for how the sponsorship had helped his family. There were many pictures taken throughout the visit, especially by the CCF crew.

Meeting his Dad

Dieudonne and his family

Village ladies

We visited and exchanged gifts. Dieudonne also showed me the two sheep he had purchased with the sponsorship money.

His Dad loved the Canada t-shirt!

Dieudonne's gift to me

We went back to the CCF area by the school and toured the hospital across the street. Dieudonne and I pumped out some water from the well for the hospital that was made possible by CCF funding.

We went back to the CCF office and shared lunch. Dieudonne's two younger brothers joined us as well. We took a few more pictures and then it was time to say goodbye. Dieudonne walked home with his brothers. It was an amazing visit and an awesome experience to meet my sponsored child!

Later that afternoon, the team went for a hike in the cliffs where there was a pond in the rocks. Some of us climbed to the top of the cliff, and we were fortunate to see baboons at the top.

We had a late supper and went to bed early so we could go on another early morning hike tomorrow.