The decision to become a World Vision child sponsor evolved into a journey of unexpected joy and adventure for Sally.

As a full time student, Sally’s decision to sponsor a child was tough. It began one chilly June morning when she was asked by a World Vision worker to consider sponsoring a child. Doing her grocery shopping that afternoon, Sally noticed more than usual the sheer abundance, quality and choice of food we take for granted.

“I can afford it. Of course I can afford it!” she told herself as she rushed home to log on to the World Vision website to sponsor a child. 6-year-old Salini was the first child to come up when Sally got online. "I knew she was the one," Sally said.

Seven months later, Sally visited India as part of her studies and had the chance to meet Salini and see whether her sponsorship was making a difference. She told us about her journey of a lifetime:

"Drums, firecrackers and garlands were just the beginning of my welcome to the World Vision village. Speeches by the village head, regional volunteers and community workers followed, all of whom praised World Vision and thanked me for my support."

When the celebrations came to a close, Salini and her mother took me to their home at the edge of the village.That morning the World Vision staff had helped me to select suitable gifts for the family. In monetary terms, these gifts represented a modest gesture on my part, but when I realised I had spent the equivalent of almost a month’s wages for the family it brought into focus not only the economic disparity of our lives, but also the degree to which the small sacrifice can transform lives.

Three cafe lattes a week can be substituted for clean supplies of water, the establishment of rural health educators, annual medical checks for children, and educational facilities.

"Of course, my three cafe lattes a week cannot single-handedly transform poverty in India, but without my contributions – and thousands like them – we all remain impoverished by the wretchedness of doing nothing.

"As I wrestled with the decision to become a child sponsor, it was impossible to imagine how profoundly it would touch me. I simply hope that many more will choose to sponsor a child, to not only change the life of a child, but bring a little magic into their own."