Elena Marchi
Vicenza · tre settimane ad Asco
Tutto è iniziato un po' così: avevo sempre desiderato fare un'esperienza di volontariato in Africa e, quando mi sono trovata davanti alla decisione di partire oppure no, anche se ero un po' spaventata, non ho esitato e ho prenotato un volo per Addis Abeba.
Ho trascorso tre settimane nell'orfanotrofio delle Sorelle di Madre Teresa di Calcutta ad Asco, insieme a quasi 200 bambini dai 2 ai 18 anni. Raccontare questa esperienza non è semplice: tutto quello che posso scrivere non è come viverlo sulla propria pelle.
Sicuramente la soddisfazione e ciò che ti colma di più il cuore al rientro a casa sono i ricordi di tanti bambini sorridenti che hai aiutato o con i quali hai semplicemente scambiato un sorriso. Passare le giornate con loro ti travolge, il contatto con i bambini è forte ed è difficile non innamorarsi così tanto di loro. Qualsiasi attività svolta insieme è un momento di felicità per tutti: vedere la loro gioia e curiosità solo per avere tra le mani un pennarello con cui colorare riempie il cuore.
Questi piccoli bambini sono riusciti a farmi riflettere sul vero valore della vita e, quando ti rendi conto che più che dare è quello che ricevi, il tuo pensiero è chiederti quando potrai ripartire.
Robert Nagy
Santa Barbara, USA · Dire Dawa
My wife Julie and I went with Strawberry Fields Onlus to Ethiopia in the summer of 2018 to visit the Abune Andreas orphanage in Dire Dawa. What impressed me so much was the strength of these young ladies. The strength of their faith, the strength of their pursuit of knowledge, and more importantly, the strength of support they have for each other. It was humbling to see young people without a family and without many basic resources have such a love of life and one another.
They were so appreciative of our time and supplies that we brought. One memory I have is when I was walking through a small village where it was clear I was the only one visible that came from another continent. As people came running up to me, I was soon surrounded closely by people talking a language I didn't understand.
One of the orphan girls realized I was apprehensive. She said, “You will be fine, hold my hand and walk with me.” If anyone is deserving of our time and support, it is these girls.
Jonas Bosmans
Bruxelles, Belgio · Dire Dawa
Together with other Strawberry Fields volunteers I've been to Ethiopia three times in the last few years. Each visit was a unique experience and it's something I'm planning to do many more times in the upcoming years. It's amazing to see what the help of Strawberry Fields has done for the girls' orphanage in Dire Dawa.
Because of their help the girls get a very good education and housing, which will help them to get a better future. For the next years I want to remain part of the team of volunteers and help Strawberry Fields accomplish more projects.
Julie Taguchi
Santa Barbara, USA · Dire Dawa
Magical. Uplifting. Joyful.
These were the feelings I had when I left the girls' orphanage in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, run by the Catholic Church Abune Andreas. Yes, an orphanage! These 40 girls, ages 10 to 19, were their own happy family and functioned as a community in a very organized fashion. Their bonds and connections are tightly bound by their common situation, the consistent mentoring from devoted Emmebeth Mischel and the help from Diva's nonprofit Strawberry Fields Onlus, emphasizing the importance of education and the ripple effect in life.
I believe these young women know they can have a better life, a different life, and they have the choice if they work for it.
The most powerful moment for me was listening to the children sing during mass. I felt the songs of the angels vibrate within me. Please support Strawberry Fields Onlus – an advantage for those who have none.
