In mid-June, the children from the Hercules Day Center went to the sea for the first time in their lives. For this long-dreamed-of trip, the kids had worked hard in the fall: hundreds of Christmas cards passed through their skilled little hands and were then delivered to the Center Hercules’ sponsors and friends in Vienna, the Netherlands, Bucharest, Pitești, and Timișoara.
All the children agreed that this camp was ,,unforgettable.” And we, the team, acknowledge that it was the most beautiful one we’ve organized in 11 years of Hercules. So we asked the children why they will never forget this vacation?
We’ve gathered some of their answers into a short text trying to capture a bit of the emotion and joy of children who could hardly dare to dream they would soon see the sea.
,,I will remember this vacation because the sea is really beautiful! It’s even more beautiful than I expected. It’s foamy, with big waves you can float on. I liked the hot sand under my feet and I liked the seashells. I collected a small bag of shells and brought it home to look at when I miss it and to show my parents. No one in my family has ever been to the sea.”
,,I will remember the sea because it is really big; I looked far out to see where it ends, but I couldn’t see, it was as if it met the sky. I was amazed.”
,,I will remember this camp because it was my first time traveling by train. We had half a carriage all to ourselves! The journey was long, but we didn’t even feel it. We had so much fun. I also saw the Bucharest train station, big and full of so many people.”
,,I will remember the dolphins that danced, sang, and played in the water. I was amazed at how smart they are and how well they listened to the trainer! I would love to see dolphins again in my life.”
,,I will remember our evening walks along the promenade; everything seemed different – better and more beautiful – compared to what I’m used to. So many happy people and so many good things! Even the giant cotton candy tastes different, the boiled corn is tastier, and the pancakes are huge…”
,,I will definitely never forget splashing around in the water! I wish I never had to get out! I learned how to swim, I went diving with special goggles, and I even saw crabs and jellyfish.”
Everything was wonderful, the children concluded in unison. And we know it was, because we witnessed their happiness, which filled us with positive energy for the rest of the year.
On the way back, the children amused us by singing a song they invented on the train. Until we got home we were singing the chorus which goes something like this:
,,Sea, sea, what a wonder,
I never thought I’d reach you
With my swim ring behind me.
You are beautiful blue sea
Clear and refreshing.
You have many shells, fine sand,
I hope to come back to you again”
We thank all the kind people who bought our cards and helped us make the children’s long-time dream a reality! Thanks to H. Stepic CEE Charity – our partners from Vienna – for supporting our work for years and appreciating the children’s creativity and effort.
The Hercules Team
Petruța, Lavinia, and Marian (educators), Angelica (social worker)
