Call to sponsor children

By Alison Noonan
CRANBOURNE resident Sharon Start will be watching with keen interest when the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay passes through town today.
The local teacher and mother of three is also a child sponsor with Plan, the first ever Goodwill Partner to the Commonwealth Games.
Plan, one of the world’s largest non-religious and non-political child-centred aid organisations, is calling on Australians to support needy children in developing Commonwealth nations by becoming a child sponsor.
Mrs Start has been sponsoring Jorge-Iuis, her second child through Plan, for 18 months.
“He is 17 years old and lives with his parents in the Honduras,” she said.
“He enjoys drawing and football and would like to become an engineer.
“The family live in a corrugated metal house in an undeveloped area that has little access to the outside world.
“My sponsorship assists Jorge-Iuis’s family and community with health, education, housing and income.”
Mrs Start said she signed up to become a child sponsor to make a difference in the life of an underprivileged child.
“It is a way of giving back to the community and helping to make life better for a needy child and their family.
“My sponsorship not only assists Jorge-Iuis, but also his family and community, so it’s a good feeling.
“I am giving them an opportunity to have the basics we take for granted. Without my donations, these basics aren’t readily available.
“Such a small amount can do so much,” she said.
Mrs Start said the Commonwealth Games and Plan Goodwill partnership would allow Australians a lasting legacy and connection with the Commonwealth countries.
“When the baton passes through this part of the country, it will be a special moment in our community’s history to show that we can help those less fortunate than ourselves,” she said.
The Goodwill Partnership aims to raise awareness of the issues facing developing Commonwealth nations and in turn raise funds for vital community development projects.
Together with child sponsorship, the Goodwill Partnership will support four urgent Plan development projects.
Australians can make donations to:
– Community learning in Bangladesh;
– Early Childhood Care and Development in India;
– Reducing Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in African communities;
– Fiji Youth Program managed by Plan’s partner, the Red Cross.
Sponsoring a child through Plan costs $39 per month and is tax deductible.
For more information, visit www.plan.org.au or www.melbourne2006.com.au or phone Plan on 13 7526.