AN inspiring couple have just returned from Kenya where they met the teenager they have been sponsoring for nine years through child development charity Compassion UK.

Pippa and Adrian Blizzard, from Bentley, travelled to Uganda to visit Adrian’s niece and while there they decided to extend their trip and travel to Kenya to meet 18-year-old Fatuma.

“We planned to visit my husband’s niece in Kampala, Uganda, which is close to the western border of Kenya. When we realised that Fatuma’s home was just over the border, we knew we had to take the opportunity to meet her in person,” said Pippa, 53.

“On the journey to Kenya I was so excited and a little nervous about meeting Fatuma, not really knowing what to expect and feeling unexpectedly and uncharacteristically emotional,” she continued.

“When we arrived at the project, I spotted Fatuma straight away. She is now 18 years old, and we have been writing since she was nine so it was amazing to finally meet. She gave me a beaming smile before literally throwing herself into my arms.

“In her last letter to us, for the first time she signed herself as ‘your lovely daughter’ and from that moment I certainly felt that was and is true. It was a moment I will never forget,” said physiotherapist Pippa.

“Next we travelled to meet Fatuma’s family at their home where we met her twin sister, Asha, and mother Beatrice, which was very emotional. Beatrice is a remarkable, hardworking woman, she has been a widow for the last few years and is a mother of 10 and grandmother of five.

“She explained to us how our sponsorship and the work of Compassion has not only changed the life of her daughter but has also given the whole family hope. She proudly showed us how they now have proper beds with sheets and mattresses instead of having to sleep on the floor.”

Fatuma lives in the community of Maraba, 30 miles north-west of Kisumu, in Kenya. Typical houses have earthen floors, mud walls and thatched or tin roofs. Common health problems in this area include malaria, typhoid and malnutrition. Most adults in Maraba are unemployed but some work as labourers and earn the equivalent of £15 per month.

In Kenya, 46 per cent of the population live below the poverty line and, as a result, it is a daily challenge for many families to afford the nutritious food they need for children to grow up strong and healthy.

The Blizzard family’s sponsorship of £25 per month enables Fatuma to be part of her local Compassion project where she receives nutritious meals, emotional support, medical attention, and the chance to get a good quality education.

Pippa continued: “Throughout the whole trip, I felt immensely overwhelmed and honoured by the Compassion staff and Fatuma’s family. I was even asked to plant a tree with Fatuma in the grounds of the project as well as near the family home, both with a sign honouring our visit.

“Fatuma is currently taking a polytechnic course in food and beverage and her hope is to work in the catering industry one day. It was great to be able to encourage her in achieving her dreams and reaching her full potential.”

Now back in the UK, Pippa reflected: “I feel immensely blessed by this opportunity. Without this experience, I would never have realised what a real and far-reaching difference we’ve made to Fatuma’s life. Our relationship and our letters will be so much better informed and personal now.”

n Compassion UK is an international child development charity with more than 60 years’ experience working with some of the world’s poorest children. More than 100,000 children are connected with British sponsors through Compassion UK, and at present more than 1.8 million children attend Compassion’s church-based projects in 25 countries around the world. For more details, visit compassionuk.org.