This summer, my husband Tim and I had the opportunity to visit Canopy Life Academy and our sponsor student Rose. We joined Rose’s Sponsor Family last year when she was a new class 4 student. Through letters, Facebook posts, Skype calls, and stories, it has been a joy to watch Rose grow mentally, physically, and spiritually. The staff and Sponsorship Team had done such an incredible job connecting us with Rose from across the ocean that it felt natural to meet her in-person when we arrived at the school.
We spent a week at Canopy Life, going on field trips, sitting in the classroom, attending Sunday worship, playing during recreation time, eating meals, and being a part of the daily routine. Obviously we noticed a lot of amazing things about the school, staff, and students during our time together, and some of our favorite observations from the trip have to do with how the kids view their Sponsor Families.
The first thing we noticed is that the students know their sponsors by name. And not only do they know their own sponsors by name, but they also know the names of everyone else’s sponsors. Oh yeah, they also have a handle on which sponsors know each other and how they are connected. The truth is, knowing there are adults who love and pray for them, and are cheering them on, makes Canopy’s students feel so special, and when people love you, their names become imprinted on your heart. It’s impossible to forget them!
Another thing we observed is how much the students just want to be next to you. When we decided to go to Kenya to visit Rose and the school, I felt a little nervous that I wouldn’t know all the right things to say. On our second day at Canopy, we went on a field trip with the kids. When we loaded into vans in the morning, Rose saved the seat next to her for me. Riding to the Elephant Orphanage, I tried to think of things to ask Rose. What I quickly realized was she was happiest either singing with her classmates or looking out the window, occasionally pointing out things she would see. At the end of the day, when we had returned to the school, Tim and I were sitting on the couch waiting for our ride back to the hotel, when Rose came over, sat down, and leaned up against me. It was one of my favorite moments of the trip. No need for words or deep conversation. Just the three of us relaxing together at the end of a good, long day.
The final thing we like to tell our friends about our experience visiting Rose is how the students are great at telling stories and asking perceptive questions. Canopy Life is doing a fantastic job helping their students strengthen their English skills. In many ways, talking to the kids at Canopy was a lot like talking to kids in the United States. One day, Rose and I sat down together while I painted her toenails, and she told me all about her three best friends and how she likes playing games with her sister. Since returning home from our trip, I’ve encouraged friends and family members that if they know how to talk with an American child—maybe their own kid, a niece or nephew, or a kiddo at church—then they would make a great mentor and sponsor for a Canopy student.
There was one afternoon when we walked with the students to where they have recreation, and there was a chain of us girls strolling hand in hand. I was thinking about what a privilege it is to sponsor a child on the other side of the world, who I get to literally walk alongside, not just for an afternoon or for a week, but for months and years. It’s a journey that I’ll never forget.
You can find out more about how to join a Canopy Life Sponsor Family by clicking HERE.