Making a Difference

Last September Lance and Karen Horlyck from Manly, NSW took their five children, Karla, Sarah, Jonathon, Lachlan and Oliver to Thailand for a family holiday they will remember forever.

Every year the Horlyck's get together and have a family conference to decide on important things affecting the family, like holidays, impending milestones and where to make their annual charitable donations.

"It gives all the children a sense of ownership, it prepares them for real life and is a nice way for all members of the family, whether they are living under our roof or not to feel included" says mum, Karen.

At last year's conference the Horlyck children decided that they would like to take the annual family holiday to Thailand to visit the six year old girl, Wareusa they sponsor through World Vision.

Lance and Karen agreed that this would be a fantastic holiday, a chance to see first-hand how the family's monthly contribution had been spent, as well as a chance for their own children to see the realities of living in a developing country.

World Vision: a great cause
"Our children are fortunate to live in a society where there are abundant choices and opportunities. As parents we feel it is important for our children to realise that they lead a blessed life and need to appreciate that there are many other children around the world who struggle with the basics in life."

The family were already sponsoring three other children through World Vision from Malawi, Uganda and Philippines. One of which had been instigated by the youngest Horlyck, Oliver when on his ninth birthday he could not decide on a gift that he really wanted, or needed. Instead the nine year old came to the conclusion that he would like to sponsor another child through World Vision.

The family's relationship with World Vision had certainly instilled a strong sense of giving and charity amongst the children.

"Sponsoring children through World Vision is an excellent way to show that a little bit of help and understanding can make a big difference."

The big day
Arriving in Thailand all seven of the Horlyck family were excited about two weeks relaxing together in Phuket, but most of all about the day that they had scheduled to spend with World Vision staff, Wareusa and her family. This was in fact why they had chosen to visit Thailand!

On the day of the World Vision visit the Horlyck's were driven two hours to Wareusa's village. On the way the World Vision staff and translators described the place as a mixed religion village that had been support by World Vision for a number of years.

The bus was filled with excited tension about seeing the 'real' Thailand.

The 'real' Thailand
"We'd discussed with the children the types of things they might see, that the poverty may be confronting. This was after-all why our support was needed and why World Vision worked in this area."

The community had benefited from a successful goat breeding program which World Vision had developed. This provided families with a source of meat and income when offspring were sold at markets.

The villagers also survived on income from the near-by rubber plantation. It had become part of their lives that with little-other opportunities the children of the village would grow up to work at the plantation. This is a world away from what the Horlyck children experience with the two eldest daughters, Karla and Sarah already enrolled in university and deciding on their own professional careers.

Meeting the family
The Horlyck clan arrived in a whirl of noise and were bundled out of the van. The excitement was hard to contain as the family approached Wareusa.

In no time at all the group were passing on translated messages and getting to know the entire group who had come out to meet the visiting Australians.

"She was so shy and small and we must have been a sight with our pale skin and big smiles but I think that our sentiment was felt by everyone."

The girls bonded over a quiet game of catch while the more rowdy and energetic boys took to the soccer balls.

"It was like a typical family gathering; the adults sat and chatted while the kids played outside. We were offered fruit as a gift, something that warmed my heart immensely."

Despite being holy month of Ramadan, which meant the schools were closed, the Horlyck's were taken to the local school that Wareusa attends, and which benefits from World Vision support.

Changed forever
After spending the day with Wareusa, the Horlyck family returned to Phuket to continue their family holiday but something had certainly been moved and changed in all of them.

"It is quite amazing to acknowledge how one day has changed us forever."

The Horlyck's now consider Wareusa and her family as part of their own extended family.

"Sponsoring children through World Vision is an excellent way to show that a little bit of help and understanding can make a big difference." Every year around 500 World Vision child sponsors travel overseas to visit the child they support. Talk to your family today about sponsoring a child and take on the World Vision Family Challenge. Your donation will help children and their community face the daily challenges of living in poverty by improving access to basic needs like education and clean water. Find out how you can get involved.