I've had a letter from ActionAid today saying that Delifa, the child I sponsor in Malawi, has recently become very disruptive in school and would I attend a meeting to discuss her behaviour. It seems that her parents are completely failing to control her and under the terms of my sponsorship I am her joint guardian (a lesson here for me - read the small print!). I'm obviously concerned that her studies are suffering but don't really see what I can do to help.

I spoke to ActionAid and reluctantly agreed to attend a meeting next week to discuss the issue. Delifa and her family obviously can't be present but will apparently be conferenced in via a small, hand-powered webcam provided by the Red Cross.