Debbie Langdon-Davies visiting Plan's Harare programme unit

4 February 2010: Plan’s founder would be very proud of the millions of children the organisation has helped over the past 70 years, according to his daughter on a visit to meet her sponsored child in Zimbabwe.

Debbie Langdon-Davies, whose father founded Plan in 1937, said: “If my father was alive, he would be overwhelmed with joy at how Plan Zimbabwe has changed communities’ lives for the better. I am very impressed by the passion and enthusiasm shown by the children as well.”

Emotional meeting

When she finally met the young boy who she has been sponsoring and writing to since 2000, it was an emotional meeting. Neither could hide their excitement at holding hands for the first time.

“You have grown so big!” she exclaimed. It was a poignant moment for Debbie, whose father conceived the idea of a personal relationship between a child and sponsor.

“He loved children so much. That is why he mobilised his friends and acquaintances to write letters to the orphaned and underprivileged children while raising money for their education,” said Debbie.

Cultural welcome

Debbie meeting Plan staff

As well as visiting her sponsored child, Debbie was treated to a cultural welcome by the community and toured some of Plan’s projects in the area.

At Mazengere Village Debbie was impressed by the resilience shown by HIV and AIDS-positive men, women and children who formed a post test club named Evergreen. The club grows, among others, nutritional crops to help boost their immune system and sell the surplus.

The next stop was at Nyamutsahuni ward where Debbie was shown all types of toilets built by the community as a result of a community-led total sanitation approach, spearheaded by Plan. She also met a group of dedicated home-based care givers that Plan supports, who assist terminally ill people with household chores and counselling.

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