I had been dreaming of such an experience for a long time.
I arrive at the Aina village after a long journey and immediately realise that I am in a small, happy oasis here. The village is clean, tidy, and beautiful. The children immediately greet me with affection, especially the younger ones, and the older ones with curiosity.
It’s love at first sight.
Their smiles are spontaneous, sincere, genuine.
Volunteers in the village can take care of various things, definitely some resourcefulness is needed to understand how it is possible to help. The activities are packed, well organised and the days full. But the staff is undersized. In the mornings, help is needed to get the little ones ready for school while the grandmothers look after those in need.
Because there are those who are not only HIV-positive, but also disabled. In addition, there are the youngest, currently 3 months and 1 year old, who are obviously not self-sufficient.
There is tidying up, folding laundry, keeping storerooms in order, taking inventory, accompanying children to physiotherapy and, the most fun activity: entertaining them in their free time with games, dancing and endless cuddling.
And there is so much more, impossible to list. Every day is different.
I return home with a big trunk full of wonderful images and indelible memories of these children who, although they are now happy and safe and smiling thanks to Aina, hide baggage full of atrocities and injustice.
Children born into misfortune who have been blessed by an unparalleled charity project.
Spending time with them is the best gift one can give. Moreover, the surroundings are beautiful. It all makes the village a truly unique place.
A huge thank you to everyone at Aina, who make the miracle possible, and to all the community staff, who dedicate their lives to these wonderful angels.
I can’t wait to come back!
