Every two years the Dunn family takes a holiday, and last December they started planning a two-week adventure to Peru to visit Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

However, it was a morning visit to their World Vision sponsor child during the trip that left the biggest impression.

Early this year, a World Vision television advertisement caught Mrs Dunn's attention.

For years, she had wanted to sponsor a child and here was the perfect opportunity in a country where she and the family would be in several months.

"I knew then that it was just meant to be and that now was the time," Mrs Dunn said.

After receiving details of their sponsor child - a little girl, Yacquelin, 2, from Cusco - Mrs Dunn made inquiries about a family visit in July.

Finding a day when everyone was available made things a little tricky but resulted in the Dunns meeting Yacquelin and her father, Lucas, for Yacquelin's third birthday.

"It was exciting to be there on her birthday," Mrs Dunn said. "Her eyes all lit up and she had this great big smile when she saw her birthday cake."

The Dunns also visited a guinea pig farm and a women's co-operative sponsored by World Vision.

Mrs Dunn said they would love to visit again.

■ For information about sponsoring a child visit worldvision.com.au or phone 133 240.