She's a Canadian athlete, two-time Olympic gold medalist, speedskater, motivational speaker, and mother of two. But what you may not know, is that Catriona Le May Doan is also a Christian Children's Fund of Canada child sponsor. In fact, she's been sponsoring children with CCFC for more than 15 years.

Catriona currently sponsors two children in Ethiopia: 12-year old Desiso (since 2008) and five-year old Adi this past June. She also sponsored a girl named Aberash for 11 years until she graduated from the program at age 21.

Catriona recently took a trip to Ethiopia to visit her sponsored children, learn about CCFC projects, and experience life in communities that need help. We sat down with Catriona to talk about her trip.

CCFC: What was the main purpose of this trip for you?
Catriona: I wanted to see for myself what our support does. I've read updates from my sponsored children and have the photos, but we're a world apart and it's so far from Canada. But to be here on the ground and see that they're real and hug them, it's a dream come true.

CCFC: So what was it like to meet your sponsored children for the first time?
Catriona: Amazing! Having been here and seeing what a difference sponsorship can make, it's mind boggling that what we consider to be so little is so much.

CCFC: What difference has sponsorship made in Desiso's life?
Catriona: Desiso is able to go to school because of sponsorship. And years ago, Desiso's family received three goats through the gift catalogue and now those goats have multiplied to 15. This is giving them milk, meat, and a source of income which is greatly appreciated since Desiso's mother was struggling as the sole breadwinner for Desiso and his three siblings.

CCFC: And what is Adi like?
Catriona: My former sponsored child graduated. How exciting is that? My new sponsored child, Adi, is only five years old, but she is so bright and energetic and has three sisters and one brother. I showed Adi and her family pictures of my family with our very tall dog named Ernie. Everyone just giggles at the name, Ernie, back home, but here as well. Hearing the children giggle at Ernie was beautiful. It was great to be able to share that with them.

CCFC: What changes has sponsorship made in Adi's life?
Catriona: The family's house seemed to be quite established by the village's standards, but the reason for that is that CCFC has been working in this community for 10 years and we saw the difference. Thanks to CCFC, Adi's father learned how to make a proper house, how to keep their children healthy, how to grow proper corn, and how to make a chicken coop so that the hyenas don't take the livestock. When we saw Adi, she was sick and throwing up and it tore my heart out. But CCFC took her to a health post, and they gave her some medicine and 24 hours later, she was so much better. All of that is because I give a little bit each month.

CCFC: Was there anything on this trip that surprised you?
Catriona: It was shocking to see houses falling apart. It was shocking to see a family of six living in one tiny space. It was shocking how people can eat so little and survive. Many children are not allowed to be children here. They have more duties and responsibilities than most adults in Canada.

CCFC: How else does life in Ethiopia compare to life in Canada?
Catriona: In Canada, we look around and think, 'I want a bigger home!' and we always want more. You come here and what these children would love is another piece of bread. I turn my tap at home and hand my children a glass of water. I don't worry about the water. But the water the children drink here may harm them. I don't really understand how they live in this environment and in these conditions and how they do so much physical activity – walking two hours to get dirty water and walking two hours back with no food in their stomachs. But regardless of where we went, the children would wave. Their faces would light up. This is an area where people truly have nothing, and yet they light up. We need to make sure that these children live a full life, are educated, that they're healthy, and that they can start to teach others things that are basic to us about eating and health and education – the things we take for granted in Canada.

CCFC: What are your final thoughts on the trip?
Catriona: It was wonderful to be able to meet my sponsored children and see the difference CCFC is making the lives of so many. CCFC is almost like this big, heavy train and it's going, 'Okay, we've started. Let's keep it going and see how fast we can get there!' But we need to keep it going.  It's really true that for so little, you can do so much. It's been a life-changing trip and I'm already thinking, 'When can I come back?'