Child Sponsorship

Penda Bah was first enrolled with ChildFund’s programs at the age of 7, sponsored by an Australian sponsor at the age of 11. Having graduated from high school, she received an advanced diploma in Community Development from a local technical school. 

Today, she works as a community mobilizer with Ding Ding Yiriwa Federation, a ChildFund local partner, where she helps children write letters to and from sponsors, supports various programs and communication activities.

“My mother died at the age of 1 year and six months. And then my dad also died when I was 2 years old. It was a challenge. I was brought up by my stepmom, who took care of me. We came from a poor background. However, due to the aid ChildFund gave me, they enrolled me in their sponsorship program and paid my school fees.

They picked me up from nowhere and made me who I am today. So I want to give back to them so that I can also have a way to say thank you for what they have done for me. My sponsor has made me who I am. 

When I was picked as a sponsored child, I was very young. I didn’t even know what was good for me. I didn’t have dreams. But now I am chasing my dreams. I’ve been inspired by the local partners that are working with ChildFund. 

That’s the main reason why I also want to work with them. I see that it is my responsibility to join hands with the ones that have little knowledge or little access to development so that we can all work together and develop and eradicate poverty in my community.”