A Bond Beyond Borders: Alison, Got & Poo

At Hands Across the Water, the relationship between sponsor and child is never just about money — it’s about belonging. For Alison, what started as a charity bike ride transformed into something deeper, more personal, and profoundly impactful.

“I signed up for the ride, not knowing what to expect,” Alison recalls. “But after meeting the kids, I couldn’t walk away. A one-off bike ride just wasn’t enough.”

Alison became a sponsor shortly after that first ride, supporting young Got from Home Hug. From the very beginning, the connection was unmistakable.

“The first time I rode into Home Hug after beginning to sponsor Got, he pretty much held my hand all night,” Alison remembers. “We hadn’t met before and didn’t share a common language but somehow, we both knew we were connected.”

Got, now ten, may be small in size but is mighty in dreams. With a love for fried rice and a heart set on becoming a police officer, he lights up when he receives a message from Alison.

For Alison, the ripple effect of sponsorship has extended beyond her own household. Her brother, mother, nieces, and nephew are now all part of the Hands sponsor family — some even believing they have cousins in Thailand. “It’s helped start important conversations,” she shares. “And it’s made the world feel a little smaller.”

Her second sponsor child, Poo, is now 21 and studying Food Business at university — chasing her dream of becoming a chef. From helping care for younger children to learning how to bake and cook, Poo has embraced every opportunity that sponsorship has opened for her.