Mail Where There Are No Mailboxes

Heidi Isaza - Posted on December 1, 2008

Last month we spoke with Gilbert NDour about his work as a World Vision Child Supervisor. This month come along with Gilbert as he visits a child and gives them a special delivery that came from their sponsor in the United States.

Today is a special day. Gilbert is on mission. His mission is to deliver a card that arrived from one of the child’s sponsors from the United States to their sponsored child in this community.

It’s easy to know that Gilbert is going on an “official” child visit, as opposed to all of his “unofficial” encounters with the sponsored children and their families around the community, because today he is wearing his World Vision Tattaguine T-shirt and carries with him a manila folder filled with correspondence that needs to be distributed to the appropriate children.

“The kids are so excited when they receive a letter. Letters are what really motivate them,” says Gilbert, looking at the letters.

Today Gilbert is taking a card to 13-year-old Ibrhima. As he approaches the child’s house he sees the child is also approaching the home, coming from the other direction.

Gilbert walks up to the boy, puts his arm around his should, and asks, “Where are you coming from.” Ibrhima smiles, tells him he was playing with some friends, and then he and Gilbert walk into the family compound and say hello to Ibrhima’s mother, siblings, and cousins.

Ibrhima has been part of the sponsorship program for the past six years. It is something he really enjoys. “One time we had a birthday party,” he shares. “We got t-shirts, a pencil for school and a present. I received a remote-controlled car,” he says with a smile beaming across his face.

Gilbert is a frequent and welcomed visitor in Ibrhima family’s compound. “I am glad anytime I see Gilbert,” says Ibrhima. “Just seeing him [Gilbert] makes me happy,” he adds.

Today, Gilbert has a card that Ibrhima’s sponsor sent him. He gives Ibrhima the card and then explains the game that is found on the inside of the card.

Ibrhima studies the colorful card carefully, paying close attention to what Gilbert is saying and then he says, “The card is very nice. I am glad to have a friend in another country. Thank you to my sponsor.”

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