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Taiwan: Sponsored child now sponsors |
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When Yang Hue-mei was a child, World Vision sponsorship helped her to go to school just like other children did. As a result, today she works at the National Chung Cheng University in Chiayi County, where she is responsible for extra-curricular programmes.
Yang belongs to the aboriginal Tsou tribe in the Alishan area of Chiayi County in southern Taiwan. She received sponsorship from World Vision when studying in elementary school, so she could have the necessary school supplies and basic necessities to remain at school and complete her education.
Now 37 years old, and with a good job and a heart to give back, she started to sponsor a Sri Lankan boy, Dushshantha Fernando, over a year ago. She hopes her sponsorship will help give Dushshantha a better life.
When looking at his pictures, Yang says she feels connected to and responsible for this boy's life. As well, they have begun to know each other's families through correspondence, so Yang's children have another "big brother", and Dushshantha has a "second mother" living in Taiwan.
Through the letters she receives, Yang has learned about Dushshantha and his life. He is in fifth-grade, likes to read, paint and play cricket and wants to be a doctor. He always sends paintings along with his letters through which Yang gets an idea of his growth. Dushshantha's parents also send regards and gratitude through these letters, for helping their boy go to school.
As a former sponsored child, Yang feels very happy for being able to help a family become self-sustainable. For New Year, she sent him a box of color paints so he can paint as much as he wishes.
She often shares child sponsorship with her co-workers and students at the university. One of them has decided to be a sponsor.
Yang encourages people, "If you have ever received favor from others, don't just keep your gratitude in your hearts. Share it with others."
Yang will continue to support Dushshantha till he is grown up. If she has a chance to meet him in person, she says she will give him "a big hug." |
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