I had been following String of Love for several years, always dreaming of the day when I would finally set foot on this remarkable continent. Africa felt distant and mysterious, a place I had only imagined, until I was given the opportunity to experience it from the inside. After joining String of Love and completing the volunteer preparations, I soon found myself at St. Anthony's Orphanage in Songea, Tanzania.

To be honest, I expected it would take me some time to adjust to such a different way of life. To my surprise, the transition was much easier than I had imagined. The reason was the people. They were incredibly warm, welcoming and kind. From the Sisters at the orphanage, the children, the cooks, the Matron and Patron, to the neighbours and everyone we met on the streets, they all made me feel at home from the very beginning.

Although their world is so different from the one we know, it is impossible not to fall in love with it. Those two months passed unbelievably fast.

A typical day as a volunteer was divided between working in the office on the school sponsorship project “Godparent” during the mornings and spending the afternoons with the children. They are full of kindness and energy, grateful for even the smallest things and always eager to help. Before long, they had become my best friends. They need almost nothing to create a game. A bottle cap and a stick become toys, and the courtyard becomes an entire world. Every day was filled with laughter, and not a single day passed without singing, dancing and plenty of hugs.

One of the most meaningful moments for me was meeting the child I am helping through the Godparent project. That encounter gave an even deeper purpose to everything we do through the sponsorship project.

Songea is a town that comes alive under the African sun. It is safe, warm and full of life. Its dusty streets are filled with singing, laughter and dancing, while the smiles of its people bring warmth to every moment.

I will always be grateful for this unforgettable experience, and I already look forward to seeing all those wonderful faces again. I miss them more than words can express.

Africa taught me to slow down, to see the world from a different perspective and to appreciate the beauty of a simpler life.

Asante, Africa!

(Asante means "thank you" in Swahili)