On Wednesday, 25 November, the third-graders from Travesio Secondary School embarked on a special journey—all the way to Africa, to Kenya. Not physically, of course, but through their hearts and minds.

Guiding them on this meaningful trip were Barbara del Piero, a teacher at the Casiacco Kindergarten, and her son Andrea—just 18 years old but already deeply experienced in volunteering, a passion passed down from his parents. Together, they shared their time spent at Bimbi del Meriggio, a village in Kenya run by the non-profit organisation AINA.
The Bimbi del Meriggio village is home to around 115 children, many of whom are orphans and have been affected by HIV since birth. Some have been abandoned, while others have been entrusted to the village by families unable to provide the emotional or medical support they need.
Barbara and Andrea brought Africa to life for the students through photos, videos, and heartfelt stories. They described the children’s daily routines—their schooling, responsibilities, playtime, meals, and medical care.

What surprised the students most was how these children, despite their hardships, radiate happiness and warmth. They live as one big family, caring for one another and learning from an early age the values of sharing and independence.
Education plays a crucial role in shaping their future. Barbara and Andrea emphasized that for these children, schooling is more than just learning—it is a gateway to a brighter future. The village includes a kindergarten, primary school, and a lower secondary school, where academic excellence is encouraged. Every year, the top-performing students are rewarded as a way to inspire and motivate their peers.

This journey wasn’t just a trip to Africa or Kenya—it was a journey within ourselves. As many students reflected afterward, we often have so much yet struggle to find happiness, while these children, with so little, approach life with smiles, gratitude, and a peaceful rhythm free from stress and anxiety.

A heartfelt thank you to Barbara and Andrea for their time, their generosity, and, most importantly, for the incredible work they have done, continue to do, and will keep doing for these children.

This year, the Secondary School will also contribute to the village through the proceeds from the Christmas market on 10 December, held during the school talks.
A big thank you to the students, who worked so hard to create the items for sale and showed great sensitivity and engagement during the meeting with Barbara and Andrea. Thanks also to the teachers for their collaboration and to the school leadership for supporting and embracing these important initiatives.

After spending time learning about the lives of children in Kenya, the students took a moment to reflect, both individually and in small groups. Here are some of their thoughts:

“It touches my heart to see that, despite being affected by AIDS and having so little, these children are truly happy in their own way.”

“A couple of hours spent learning about the lives of people just like us, yet less fortunate, made me realise how they can grow, learn, and find joy even with almost nothing.”

“It makes us reflect on how we live and teaches us not to complain about what we have.”

We have so many things, yet we often feel bored, while those who have very little find joy in the simplest things.”
“Life outside the village gave me perspective—the food, the wooden walls patched with mortar, the clothes they wear. The ground is so different from ours, all dusty and earthy. But what surprised me most were the bathrooms. To use the toilet, they have to go outside, and to shower, they must collect water daily. Still, this experience was eye-opening.”

“These two hours really made me think. We must appreciate what we have and recognise how fortunate we are, while also keeping in mind those who have much less.”

“I realised that even though we have everything, we often don’t enjoy ourselves and get bored. Meanwhile, they, who have so little, seem to have more fun than us.”

“Their difficult conditions must be improved.”

“I always imagined a life of pain and suffering for people in these situations, but I was amazed. In fact, I find myself almost jealous of their happiness despite their struggles. I envy the way they smile and support each other. Here, we always seem to have something to be unhappy about. It’s beautiful to see how much joy can come simply from being in good company, from just having a friend by your side.”

“Hearing these stories was very important, and I realise how hard it must be to live in such poverty.”

“It was a truly insightful and meaningful experience.”

“Barbara and Andrea are doing an incredible job helping these children, something not everyone would have the strength to do. Despite their hardships, the children choose to face life with a smile and keep moving forward. I think we could all learn from their optimism and their deep trust in others.”

“These people need support, not just financially but also emotionally. They need to know that we are thinking of them because they truly deserve it. In my opinion, they are special because, despite their hardships, they love and help each other with such simplicity.”

It was a really significant experience, because it made me see in another light how they live compared to us.

This experience, shared by volunteers Barbara and Andrea, was incredibly thought-provoking. It made me reflect and compare—comparing our lives to theirs. It made me realise just how fortunate we are to have access to education, a clean home, the ability to wash whenever we want, electricity, running water, and transportation. All of this is possible thanks to the people around us, especially our parents, who want the best for us. Yet, we take it all for granted, never truly appreciating the significance of what we have.
The children in Kenya have no TVs, no computers, and very few toys. Some of them don’t even have parents. But what they do have are values—principles that we often overlook: sharing, friendship, and the ability to be happy with what they have and who they are.

Barbara and Andrea did an amazing job sharing their experiences, but what struck me the most was the happiness on the faces of the people in the village. Even with nothing, they smile and truly live!
At Christmas, my little brother wishes for expensive tech toys, like a toy phone. Thinking of the children in Kenya, I feel a lump in my throat—they don’t even know what a cell phone is. I ask for new clothes, while they would never have any without the help of volunteers. I often complain that my room is too small, without realising that for many, my room would be their entire home.
We are all spoiled, never lacking anything… yet we are never satisfied. Meanwhile, they have so little, yet they find joy in the simplest things.
This experience was truly meaningful, but it left me with a bittersweet feeling. It’s heartbreaking to think that children as young as my little brother—only five years old—are cared for not by their parents, but by other children, as if they were family.
We have everything, yet we feel like we have nothing. They have nothing, yet in so many ways, they have everything.

What struck me most about this meeting was the dedication of the volunteers, who return to Kenya again and again to help those in need. I find this incredibly important because these volunteers give their time and effort to support people less fortunate than themselves in every way they can.

The meeting was inspiring and thought-provoking. I have great admiration for those who are part of these wonderful associations. One thing that stood out to me was the images of life outside the village—they made me reflect on all the things we have but don’t truly need.

The meeting was engaging and meaningful because, as Barbara and Andrea wrote in their diary: “They have nothing, but they have EVERYTHING. We have EVERYTHING, but we have nothing.”

Looking at the photos and videos, I was honestly a little unsettled. The children in Kenya have so little, yet they are happy and content with their lives. Meanwhile, we, despite having access to endless technology—PSPs, smartphones, TVs—are often dissatisfied and always wanting more. It also amazed me that these children wake up at 5 a.m. and go about their day calmly, without complaints, while we struggle to wake up later and rush through everything in frustration.

Children who are happy with nothing!

This experience was an important reminder that there are people far less fortunate than us. I learned about their way of life—what they eat, their schooling, their games—but above all, I saw their ability to be happy with little, always smiling and holding on to hope, even in difficult situations.

The talk was eye-opening because it showed me what life in Kenya is really like. Many people there have no proper hygiene, they are poor and cannot afford to pay taxes. Toilets are built outside, and basic necessities are scarce. Yet, the children find joy in the smallest things. In the village, meals are prepared in large quantities to feed 120 children. Their daily routine is strict—the children wake up at six, the youngest go to bed at 8:30 p.m., and the older ones at 9:30 p.m. Life is not easy for them, but thanks to organisations like the AINA Foundation, they receive the help they need.

At the end of the meeting, I felt lucky. Even with what I consider “a little,” I still have so much compared to them. Yet, they find joy in the simplest things—like playing with a discarded metal ring from a barrel—just as we do with our PlayStations, Wiis, and Gameboys.

I feel a bit sad knowing that these children have so little, but at the same time, I am grateful that there are people who dedicate themselves to helping them.

The meeting was truly interesting, and what struck me the most was the independence of the Kenyan children compared to us. They take care of themselves and each other in a way that we rarely do.

By the end of the meeting, I felt a mix of emotions—sadness, realising that there are children who live in such difficult conditions, but also relief, knowing that there are people who go there to support them and bring them moments of happiness.

This experience left me with many thoughts and emotions. It made me realise how often we take what we have for granted and how rarely we stop to consider that other children aren’t as fortunate. I truly admire the work being done to help them, and I hope to contribute in my own small way through the market my school has organised.