World Vision sponsor Sammi Cheng (鄭秀文), a renowned Cantonese pop (Cantopop) singer/actress and sponsor for 24 affected children by poverty around the world, was recently invited to host a Chinese child sponsorship TV series show (助養兒童).
Cheng recalled when she followed World Vision to visit Ethiopia in Africa, she witness the children’s starvation, malnutrition, and poverty. Without a doubt, she immediately sponsored a girl and a boy after witnessing the growth hardship the Ethiopian children went through. Cheng wishes to assist the children’s family in improving on the living situation they’re facing daily in order to lift them away from the state of poverty. Just yesterday, Cheng received letters from the Ethiopian children she sponsors and was very happy. She mentioned that after watching her sponsored children grow day by day, she felt immediate peace in her heart and wrote letters back to her sponsored Ethiopian children to encourage them to continue to study hard and prosper.
Cheng previously have received the photos and paintings from the thirteen years old Ethiopian girl. Cheng saw in the photo that the Ethiopian girl that she sponsors was holding books, and she felt the need to write back to encourage the girl. Sammi mentioned in her letter to the girl, “I know you’re hard working and also a talented and smart girl. So you should continue to study hard and explore and discover your own interest and passion. What about Writing? Reading? Singing? Producing? No matter what interest or passion you pursue, as long it is your favorite, start moving and taking steps towards your goal. I am grateful and thank you for allowing me to become your sponsor, and I am very happy and excited to be able to walk in life with you!” Mostly Cheng encouraged her sponsored girl to laugh more in the letter with the statement, “Father God loves you! I love you very much too!”
During the visit in Africa, Cheng had an unforgettable memory of the boy she sponsored and the boy’s family. The boy’s father was blind at birth, but he still finds way to show love to his family. Despite of the boy’s father’s blindness and the trials and tribulations in life, the father still worked hard in all opportunities to strive to provide meals for a family of eight. After the sponsorship from Cheng to the boy, the boy’s family’s life was blessed and improved. Cheng wrote a letter to the seven year old boy who she sponsors stating, “I know you love playing games and singing, and you really love the color red. I also like the color red very much too! Your most favorite person is Shi-Shi, and I believe Shi-Shi must be your good friend, right? I know you like singing. So, maybe next time when we meet, could you please sing for me?”
From the experience Cheng received in Africa, she realized the importance of sharing love, “I am very happy to be able to become my sponsored children’s blessing, and I also receive satisfaction in my heart through helping them, enriching my own life. I hope more people can join the ranks of child sponsorship, responding to the needs of this world with love, and transforming the lives of the children living in poverty.”
[Editor's note: reporter Mike Shih translated the article.]
