For 15 years, volunteer Donna White has been a driving force for World Vision in Thunder Bay, Ontario. 

Over the years, the candy-cane drives, 30 Hour Famine events and classroom presentations in which she has been involved raised thousands of dollars and the visibility of World Vision in White's community.

Yet a few years ago the schoolteacher and mother of two was beginning to lose inspiration.

"I wanted to see a World Vision project in action," White says.

A Life-changing Program
World Vision offers Canadians the opportunity to see child sponsorship first hand and witness the transformation face to face.

White received an informational video and was deeply affected by a story she saw. "There was a woman with HIV and AIDS and two of her children were also infected. And the woman, Rafaela, said she hoped that her children with AIDS died before her because she didn't want to die and have them become orphans," White remembers.

Unfortunately, Rafaela's two children did die. "And as a mother I put this in my heart," White says quietly. "If you can imagine: burying your own children."

Shortly thereafter, White and her family booked a vacation to the Dominican Republic. They chose to stay at a resort that was relatively close to two World Vision projects.

In the Dominican Republic, the family took a four-hour journey to Villa Altagarcia, a World Vision Area Development Program (ADP). Upon meeting with the ADP manager, White remembers having a multitude of detailed questions about how money was spent.

"But while I was talking Rafaela's name kept appearing in my head," says White. She remembers finally enquiring about the woman she saw in the video.

To White's amazement, the ADP manager said that Rafaela was in the hospital across the street. "Would you like to meet her?" he asked.

An Emotional Meeting
Within a few minutes White and Rafaela were face to face.

"I walked to her and I just hugged her for a really long time," recalls White. "I cried for a really long time and everyone out there who was watching was just crying too."

After her emotional meeting, White went on to tour the ADP. She was impressed with what she saw—hope.

"On the way home I was really filled. The goose bumps on my body were working overtime. I saw hope in Rafaela," White says.

New Inspiration

Since returning to Canada, White's found the inspiration she longed for.

She continues to tell people her story, advocate for World Vision and meet with church groups to encourage people to make a difference.

"We in Canada have so much and know so much of what's going on in the world," White says. "We can help."

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