Tuesday was a big day. Wow. 7 years in contact with someone via letters, cards and drawings makes for a pretty emotional final meeting. I had been strangely nervous about this visit ever since I tentatively contacted World Vision to ask what the process was. The main reason for my apprehension was this image in my head of some obnoxious BIG WHITE SPONSOR arriving, waving their hand regally to accept the gratitude that they thought they deserved. I am not quite sure why I saw myself sitting in this sponsor's spot, aboard some big carriage or elephant but it made me cringe horribly every time I thought of the visit.

Tuesday was a big day. Wow. 7 years in contact with someone via letters, cards and drawings makes for a pretty emotional final meeting. I had been strangely nervous about this visit ever since I tentatively contacted World Vision to ask what the process was. The main reason for my apprehension was this image in my head of some obnoxious BIG WHITE SPONSOR arriving, waving their hand regally to accept the gratitude that they thought they deserved. I am not quite sure why I saw myself sitting in this sponsor's spot, aboard some big carriage or elephant but it made me cringe horribly every time I thought of the visit.

Obviously, it was nothing like this. I did not arrive on an elephant, rather, in the World Vision car along with the representative from the national office. The community was just 10 minutes outside of Leon, a bit of a relief, actually, a massive one given the 4am-9pm bus filled previous day. The short drive gave me little time to hear what was in store for the day as we suddenly arrived at the local office to be greeted by the director. He took my hand, introduced himself and expressed how sorry he was to hear about the earthquake in my country. We followed him into a meeting room where, seated on the other side of a big rectangular table, was B, first appearing as a cute 7 year in photos and now an elegant young teenager with a shy smile. Seated next to her was her mother and older sister, both looking a bit shy, no different than how I felt.

In all honesty to start off with it was a bit awkward. Understandably. What do you say to someone you have never met but communicated via letters once or twice a year? What do you say to her family? Is it weird for them to have me come from so far to visit them? Exciting? Would they rather me not? Luckily the World Vision staff were used to putting people at ease and conversation soon flowed. Starting with me having to clear up errors which arose from a combination of Spanish plus nerves. Such as stating that I had 2 daughters, aged 23 and 24. Somewhat impossible... oops. Sisters, daughters... minor details... We chatted for a while before we piled into 2 cars and drove to what was B's primary school until this year. We drove along roads so dusty that we had to drive at least 100 metres behind the car in front. B told me this was the community where she lived as we bounced along through the dust, the ice breaking as my tallness yet again provided amusement, this time by my hitting of the roof when the car leapt over particularly rough parts of the road.

We arrived at the school, a few classrooms in the middle of a dusty orange coloured clearing. Despite its humble first impression the school was clean and well organised. A recycling system sat not far from the trees where horses were hitched, just behind the playground which consisted of a set of 3 swings. What I had expected to be a fairly brief 'pop your head around the door to check out what the school was like' turned out to be quite different. Ushered through the door I was met with a see of 200 or so little faces staring at me with big coffee-coloured eyes. Assembly time. Not just any assembly. After being seated at the front of the room along with the world vision staff, B and the principal I looked behind me. A massive sign read "Bienvenida Rachel Banfield patrocinadora de Nueva Zelanda" in bright colours that matched the balloons hanging from the roof.

Assembly kicked off with a prayer performed by a young boy, repeated back by all those in the room. The national anthem was sung, beautifully in tune despite the complete lack of any music or instruments, hands on hearts.The principal then spoke of the great ties between his community and their 'brother country' New Zealand. The speeches were heart-felt and genuine although I was a bit distracted by the microphone sitting on the table in front of me. Still and innocent but somehow looking at me threateningly. Please no! A group of girls performed a traditional dance, a lot of skirt swirling and very cute and another group performed a song. A pretty amazing welcome.

However, as I had feared, sure enough, a microphone was put in my hand and the open space at the front of the hall was gestured towards. Hmm... not quite something I was prepared for! But I took the microphone and begun my first (and hopefully last) speech in Spanish. I introduced myself, said how pleased I was to be there and to meet B after quite some years. I spoke of New Zealand and of Nicaragua, both beautiful countries with beautiful people.

From the school we visted another project. Part of World Vision, it consisted of a tin shack made into a kitchen where some amazingly inspirational women worked creatively to provide nutritious food for malnourished kids using the limited resources they have. I was given a kind of soymilk porridge thing, pink in colour, cold custard in texture (not my favourite) and some soybean patties (absolutely delicious) to try. I chatted to the women who ran the program about the 5 kids that come for meals daily as they were underweight at the last weigh in. They were so warm and cheerful, clearly passionate about the work they were doing. Proud too, as they should be.

Lunch in town was followed by a visit to a group working as volunteers for justice within the rural communities. I can't describe this one very well as my brain completely failed me, a combination of the fastest Spanish heard that day combined with heat approached 40 degrees in an airless room. Feeble maybe but all I had the energy to do was nod and ask a few questions in an attempt not to be rude. Hot. But there is no doubt that again I had the honour of meeting hardworking people with the same aim of working for the good of others.

The day was wrapped up with a meeting back at the office with all the staff present, B and her family and me. I was presented with gifts from members of the World Vision team. But their generousity went beyond the material gifts. The words spoken, their jokes about me having to learn salsa before returning to give a performance, their gratitud towards all the NZ sponsors and the thoughts given for my country during a tragic time made for a truely memorable day. Exchanging gifts and goodbyes with B and her family was a pretty emotional conclusion to a big day. A day which made the long trip from New Zealand completely worthwhile in itselft. All the rest, the Spanish, the amazing host families, getting to see different parts of the world have all been a bonus. Nothing like a day that restores your faith in people in general.