Stories

Having a happy marriage is a wish of many newly-wed couples. To Frankie and Ruth, however, happiness is not a matter only between two, it involves blessing others to make it full.

One of the little things that make them happy is their sponsored children. Ruth first started sponsoring an Indian boy in 2007, and later sponsored a Bangladeshi boy in 2009, which was when she was unemployed for 6 months. "One day, I received a call from World Vision asking if I would consider sponsoring another child. I struggled as I did not have an income at that time, but when I thought about the children who are struggling in even tougher situations, I said ¡¥yes' and never regret that," Ruth shares. Later, the two boys became independent and left their communities respectively, then Ruth sponsors another two boys in Malawi in Africa, until now. Ruth laughs, "My four sponsored children are all boys, what a coincidence!"

On the other hand, the sponsored child of her husband Frankie is a girl. "It started in 2011 when I was thinking to myself, ¡¥what can I do in my life?', and I set 10 goals for myself. One of them is to sponsor a child and witness her growth. It was on New Year's Eve that I received the sponsored child's folder. I will never forget the moment when I opened it and saw my daughter's smiling face. My heart melted. It was an extraordinary New Year gift!"

Ruth and Frankie are earnest sponsors. They brought friends to sponsor gatherings to help them learn how Child Sponsorship works. Last year on their wedding, they donated their wedding favour to World Vision, bringing blessings to children in poverty. Their families and friends were warmed by this meaningful act. Some even have become child sponsors. Frankie says, "Sponsorship is a simple way to help others. The amount contributed may not affect much of our lives, but provides life sustaining resources to children afar. Our actions can help transform lives!"

Ruth once asked Frankie, if one day he had an accident and life was at risk, what would be his final words. Surprisingly, Frankie asked her to continue supporting his sponsored daughter. Ruth was deeply moved and inspired. Besides, Frankie takes initiative to keep close contact with his child by showing his care for her through correspondence and sending her little gifts. Seeing her husband's dedication, Ruth feels embarrassed.

"It is a joy to see my sponsored daughter growing day by day. I recall a picture I once received from her, an outline of her little hand, which she drew using the colour pencils I gave her, astonished me! I see her life behind it and feel the strong connection between us," Frankie says.

Recently, through a message on Facebook, Frankie is inviting his friends to join Child Sponsorship and promises to treat them with a homemade dinner. He has also recently sponsored another child to double the happiness as Ruth did. Frankie says, "Think about it, why is the happiness index of Hong Kong people so low, when we have plenty of resources and wealth?" Ruth answers, "We believe that if all people were willing to share, the world could become more beautiful and everyone could live happily."