It is with great pleasure that we share Michelina's experience with our Child Sponsorship Program. Michelina, a GTV volunteer and supporter,  had the chance last year to meet in person the girl she has been supporting for years. 

Michelina got in touch with GTV through some friends and, in 2020, she decided to travel to Vietnam as part of a Sustainable Travel organized by ViaggiGiovani in collaboration with GTV. This trip had a profound impact on her, as she had directly witnessed the living conditions in Xin Man during her first visit to a new country. Indeed, as soon as she was back to Italy, she joined the Child Sponsorship Program.  "GTV coordinator " - she told us - "introduced me this 9-years-old little girl, and I immediately decided I would have sponsored her ". Since then, Michelina has maintained a correspondence with the child she supports, Huong, exchanging pictures and letters across the globe. Thanks to her, Huong's educational expenses have been covered, and she has also received a significant contributions for herself and her family, including rice, school kits, annual medical check-ups for her and her siblings. Meanwhile, Michelina has become an active GTV member, participating in various awareness initiatives in Italy.

In 2024, Michelina decided to visit Vietnam again as part of another GTV Sustainable travel. While staying in Vietnam, accompanied by other travelers and local authorities, she met Huong, the child she has been supporting for 4 years who, by now, had become a girl. "We met at her school in the district of  Xin Man" - Michelina wrote to us - "I also met the teachers who told me that Huong is very studious, so much that she passed the test to be admitted to the national exam! ".  Her encounter, although brief, was filled with meaningful glances, mutual curiosity and strong emotions. The journey then continued south, all the way to Ho Chi MInh. Michelina told us that she has experienced incredible emotions meeting Huong, being hosted by local families and returning home with a sense of affection and serenity. 

Very soon we will publish more information about the Sustainable travel that GTV is organizing with VIaggiGiovani for this year. In the meantime, it is a great pleasure for us to see how, between just two people, a bridge between East and West can be built, creating such special bonds.