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The 'brothers' born 3,000 miles apart meet for the first time 30 years later
Ellen Widdup, Evening Standard11 Sep 2008
More than 20 years ago Ben Holt's parents decided to sponsor a child living in Africa.
Drissa Konate was one of 10 siblings. His family was too poor to send him to school and he could neither read nor write. He spent his days working on the fields with his father or mining for gold in metre-wide shafts.
Mr Holt, born six weeks before Mr Konate, went to school, lived in a semi-detached house with his parents and younger brother and spent weekends playing football.
The pair exchanged photographs and letters as they grew up and now, at the age of 30, the "brothers" who lived 3,000 miles apart have met for the first time.
It inspired Mr Holt, who works for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, to build a community centre in Mali, West Africa.
"My parents sponsored Drissa through Plan International to show me the world extends beyond our front door," he said. "It worked. We grew up together in the jerky gaps between our photos and letters. He told us about the seasons, the mud huts, the animals, harvesting and the goldmines. I told him about school, my toys, weekends camping, holidays in France and plans for the future."
Mr Konate's letters had to be dictated to a community development worker because he couldn't write.
The letters petered out as the boys got older, but Mr Holt kept a framed photo of Mr Konate on the mantlepiece. His parents also sponsored Mr Konate's younger brother, Mamadou.
"I always knew I wanted to meet Drissa and his brother," said Mr Holt, who lives in Stoke Newington.
"As I approached my 30th birthday I thought it would be as good a reason as any to make the journey and see the differences in the lives we lead now." Mr Holt flew to Bamako, Mali, and travelled to the village of Bayan where he was greeted by Mr Konate, dressed in a Chelsea shirt, and his family. "It was unbelievable," Mr Holt said.
"Drissa's father Namakan, the village chief, told me I was part of their family, and that Drissa is my brother."
Mr Konate, the first child in his village to receive sponsorship, is now a trader. He has a small cart from which he sells soap and toiletries. He dreams of opening his own shop.
Mr Holt said: "I have taken so many things for granted. Drissa has had none of the opportunities I have."
He set up The African Workshop in Bamako, a lean-to community centre where children are encouraged to go to learn and play.
Mr Holt said: "We also teach them to read and write for free. It is just the beginning but we have huge plans."
Reader views (1)
What a truely inspirational story. I spent some of my childhood in Zambia but have never thought of sponsoring a child. I shall look into right now.
- Jane Bewick, London, 11/09/2008 16:05
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