The Gift I Will Never Forget

Pierre Faye - Posted on February 2, 2009

Providing a child with a goat or a sheep is very helpful in an environment affected by the financial crisis, especially when the parents are struggling to take care of the educational needs of the children. For many families with sponsored children, the gifts that come very often from sponsors are welcome. This story illustrates how this is handled at the community level to help the child take advantage of it.

Marie Louise is 11 years old and in third grade in the primary school situated in the village of Tattaguine. “When I heard that my daughter’s sponsor had sent something to her, I thanked God,” her father, Modou, remembers.

Jokonja Bob fa Denny “Thank you Bob and Denny.” These are the words Marie Louise said in Serer, her native language. They are the heartfelt thanks of a child who is blessed by the gift of her sponsor.

“I was surprised when the child supervisor, Monique, passing as she used to do very often to see how Marie Louise is doing announced the gift,” her father, Modou, remembers.

Marie Louise had already received letters, cards, tooth brushes, tooth paste and other items from Bob and Denny in the past.

Three days after the announcement, Monique came again to see Marie Louise and her parents in order to discuss what Marie Louise wanted to buy with the gift her sponsor had sent her.

“What do you want to get with the money sent by your sponsor?” Monique asks in the presence of Modou, the father, and Aissatou, Marie Louise’s mother.

Marie Louise smiled and, after hesitating a little bit, finally responded with a slight smile. “I want a Sheep, clothes and school supplies.”

“Great,” Monique responded.

As the money is given to the child, he or she has the liberty to express their needs. Monique was glad and amazed by the inspiration of the child who pointed out items related to schooling and animal breeding.

An important work of awareness building and education has been made by World Vision for the sake of education. As many parents have neglected education for sociological and cultural reasons, now special emphasis is put on the urgent necessity to take care of the children’s educational needs.

Therefore, anytime a child gets a gift, the school supplies are the first priority and then sustainable things as a sheep or a goat are bought for him or her. This is how the gifts are handled at the community level.

Growing-up in the midst of cattle breeders and being influenced by an eager desire to have an animal, but not being able to have one is a pity for almost the majority of the children in Tattaguine. So, when this dream is realized, they like to express their joy and thankfulness to those who make it happen. That’s why a sheep or a goat is so important in the life of child in Tataguine.

“When my sheep will gave birth, I will have milk. I like milk very much,” Marie Louise says.

In the yard behind the rooms, next to the three granaries where the cereals are stored, her sheep is tied under the shade of a neem tree. The cow shed is very close to the living area. This will help Marie Louise take better care of her sheep. The sheep is fed with the leaves of the peanut plants which are also pulled up during the harvest. Everyone grows peanuts in the village. So, there isn’t any difficulty for Marie Louise to feed the sheep. She has pleasure after her class to spend time there taking care of her sheep.

Sam Roog a barke a Bob fa Denny. Mexe xedana den. Which means, “May god bless Bob and Denny. I will keep them in my prayers,” her father, Modou, says.

“Thank you Bob and Denny, I will never forget your gift,” says Marie Louise.

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