Travelling to the Solidarity in Brazil
Livingston departure flight from Milan Malpensa .... overloaded with luggage, the greater the excess weight allowance, but I try to soften the staff to call and let me go ... this letter certifying that the sisters are volunteers of the Center for boys streets, I explain that inside there are clothes and toys for Christmas gift ... there's not much to do, rigor Austrian .... I finally let go. Glad I board.
Upon my arrival the sisters come to fetch me at the airport, this time not stay at their institution but in a downtown hotel.
I left with the intention to spend some 'of my free time with street children in Maceio, I want to understand their world, entering into their reality, to observe closely to one day help them better. This last trip to Brazil was different from all others. Meeting Zacchel, street kids with big eyes and gaze lively and mischievous, I was shocked, saddened and cheered together, a tangle of conflicting emotions and thoughts.
One evening while walking, I decide to make a brief stop in a typical kiosk on the seafront of the tourist area of Pontaverde, just enough time to eat a sandwich. At my side approached by a French tourist, we begin to talk about our stay in Brazil.
Approaches us a little boy, it looks a bit 'scared, has so hungry that we do not have time to offer this sandwich that has already devoured ours. From that moment I can not take care of him. Tells me that on that bench in front of my hotel, slept every night, which has no parents. Cold, shivering and asks me a blanket. Brought him something to cover himself. And 'later, I leave it quiet and continue my walk.
On my return Zacchel hard to recognize me, sways and covers her face with her arms. Unfortunately I sense that he sniff glue, have the bottle in his hand, his entire body exudes the smell of the lethal substance. Discovery terrible, I feel immense pain. E 'night but I can not leave him alone in the grip of tears, despair and its tremendous visual hallucinations. The next day I can convince him to go to the reception center BARRANOVA, where reside other abandoned children.
I'm very glad it has finally found a bed, can eat and have many friends to play with. An immense happiness, the most beautiful Christmas present of my life I think ...
Now that Christmas is over even Zacchel is gone, I knew he left the center and is back on the road.
I do not know if you ever see him again but I'd love to be able to see him smile and hug with the same eyes as when we said goodbye that afternoon when I left.
For information on the work of this mission and the distance adoptions visit the site www.ugualiediversi.org