Inspired to sponsor a child

SOS Children supporter Ian McClymont (pictured with his sponsored child Dieudony), recently visited the SOS Children's Village Dassa Zoume, Benin. Here he shares his thoughts from his visit and how he was inspired to become a child sponsor.

I am currently working in Cotonou, Benin, West Africa. My daughter Rebecca asked if she could come out to visit my wife Lilly and I with her son Daniel who is a lively 7 year old, Rebecca’s sister Louise also wanted to visit. Rebecca told me she had sponsored a child in an SOS village in Benin. I told her when she visited me I would take her to see the sponsored child. The journey was about 3 hours by car from Cotonou with some parts of the road in need of repair which made the driving slightly difficult for me. We arrived at lunchtime and were shown to a reception building where after a short wait the house mother Leonie appeared with Rebecca’s sponsered child.

The boy was 6 years old and called Dieudony, he was very nervous at first and was suffering from a mild cold.

He settled down quickly and was surprised when Rebecca showed him the drawing he had sent to her in Scotland. Leonie directed us to Harmonie House where she lived with 8 children. When we arrived the children were eating lunch all had a good plateful of food so we new Leonie did a good job with them. The children were happy to see us and made us feel very welcome. Rebecca, Daniel and Louise loved being there. We asked to see where the children slept and were shown the bedrooms, I was impressed that every bed had a mosquito net fitted and the rooms were spotless as was the house. It was a super visit but all too short we had to leave after 2 hours for the journey back.

The children came to say goodbye and we were all sad pulling away seeing the children wave goodbye.

Rewarding experience of child sponsorship

2 months later Rebecca’s older sister Angela husband Kris and young George came to Cotonou, they asked to visit the SOS village. This time on arrival we went straight to Harmonie House and the children were happy to see us. Angela brought crayons and colouring books which were happily received and used with George joining in with the other children. George is younger and much more shy than Daniel but he seemed to enjoy being with the other children which was great. He enjoyed his day.

It really was a nice visit Angela’s husband Kris had a great time running round with the children and letting them take photos with his camera.

Sadly the time ebbed away and it was time to depart, we all wanted to stay.

Finally, I want to add that these two visits convinced me that I should help as well, I am happy to say I have now been accepted as a sponsor and would recommend it to everyone, It was so refreshing to see that the donations are being put to extremely good use. There is no doubt in my mind this is an absolutely wonderful environment to look after vulnerable and orphaned children. I commend all involved.

Well done !!

Ian and Lilly McClymont

SOS Children has been working in Benin since 1987 and through it's unique children's villages at Abomey-Calavi, Natitingou and Dassa-Zoumé supports more than 300 children and supports a further 5,200 in the community through SOS Schools, Medical Centre and Social Centres.

To give more children a family for life, you can sponsor a child today.