He finally met Australian couple who sponsored him as a kid. When they handed him a 30-year-old folder, he wept

Decades ago, Bruce and Margaret Anschau of Newcastle, Australia, decided that for every one of their four children, they would also sponsor a child through Compassion, a Christian child development organization. According to ABC News Australia, in 1995, their youngest son, Tim, selected a boy in Uganda named Edward Kankaka because the two shared a birthday and, as the family recalls, because of Kankaka's unforgettable smile. Recently, they got to see that smile again, this time with teary eyes, as they reunited with him after three decades. The story was also shared by ABC Sydney on their Instagram @abcinsydney, gaining 5.5 million views and 227k likes.

The couple sponsored Kankaka when he was just six years old, had lost his father, and was being raised by his grandmother. "I was vulnerable," Kankaka later explained, "Compassion reached out to us and shortly after, they told me I had a new sponsor from Australia." Every month, the Anschau family sent money that helped support Kankaka's education, medical care, and meals, and also exchanged letters, which Heather Foord, one of Bruce and Margaret’s daughters, described as full of the usual chatter children share.

Kankaka called, "One day [Heather] wrote and addressed me as brother. From that day, I began telling people I have a sister and brother and mother and papa in Australia." The sponsorship technically ended when Kankaka reached adulthood, but the Anschau family continued their support through his university studies. Now 36 years old, Kankaka has built a career in HIV research, completing studies at Johns Hopkins University and gaining international recognition for his work, and he gives all credit to Compassion and the Anschau family. "Compassion is the engine that got me off the ground and set me on a trajectory to realize my potential. Without Compassion, I would not be doing what I’m doing," he said.

Just like Kankaka, child sponsorships help millions of children worldwide, with studies estimating more than nine million children currently enrolled in similar programs. Research published in The University of Chicago Press Journals indicates that individuals who are sponsored are more likely to remain in school, pursue higher education, and ultimately secure better employment opportunities. For families who begin with nothing more than a letter and a monthly donation, the impact can echo for decades.

After nearly three decades, Kankaka finally flew from Melbourne, where he was attending a medical conference, to Newcastle Airport to meet the family face-to-face. Bruce carried a folder filled with every photo and letter the family had saved since 1995. "It’s like meeting a family you had never seen," Edward said. "What’s better than looking at someone and hugging them?" Bruce described the meeting as deeply moving and said he looked forward to spending quality time together during Kankaka's stay. "Probably a lot of beach [trips], because coming from Uganda, there’s not a lot of beaches," he said with a smile. Even today, the Anschau family continues to sponsor other children through Compassion, but Edward remains the one whose journey has been closest to their hearts.

The story left people touched and undoubtedly overwhelmed. @scoot_tothegallery added, "This has to be the nicest thing I’ve seen on Instagram ever… the happy tears are streaming down my face unashamedly at the cafe, gosh, so lovely." @pixet_chica commented, "Can’t beat human physical connection, and just being in the moment. I love the gentle rocking." @bek.lejoy said, "Wow, so touched by this reunion, makes me want to write more letters to the child we sponsor."

You can follow ABC Sydney (@abcinsydney) on Instagram for more Australian news content.

More on Scoop Upworthy

Woman travels to Korea on Mother’s Day weekend — finds mom she hadn’t seen in 40 years

Airline worker turns detective to help woman reunite with late mom's precious 1940s 'love letter'

Couple reunited after 53 years set out to find the daughter they gave up. One look at her and they just knew