Dear supporters, dear friends,

In January of this year, our container finally left: a container 12m long, with a height and width of 4m and a weight of 15,000 kg. Due to its age, this was to be its last journey; in fact, it did not return to Europe, but instead remained with us in Botswana where it has been converted into a storage space. To fill the container requires a great deal of work, which is undertaken by our invaluable volunteers in Italy and Switzerland. Thinking of all the people who collect and bring us clothes, shoes, linens, blankets, fabrics, sewing machines, pedagogical materials for the pre-school, etc., all we can say is a big thank you to all of them! We especially appreciate those who bring us materials in good condition: clean, ironed, intact and functional; this helps us select and package them more quickly. Special recognition must go to the volunteers, who with a great deal of patience and perseverance dedicate themselves to the sorting and registration of the goods. It is an ongoing and tedious job that is at times extremely onerous, because the boxes used are extremely big and heavy. Before loading the boxes into the container, they have to be weighed one by one. For this work, too, young men offer to volunteer. A thank you to them as well.

The container’s journey is a long and expensive one. From Pira (Castelveccana), where it was stationed for more than two years, it was transported to Genoa, and from there, via sea, to Walvis Bay in Namibia. The journey lasted four weeks. The customs clearance from Namibia to Botswana has become more and more difficult, mainly due to the trade of contraband goods. Weeks before the container arrives, a request is sent to the Ministry in Gaborone to obtain permission to import the goods without paying customs dues. Once at customs, the container is weighed and, like at a traffic light, it can pass only if it receives the green light. This means that the weight indicated by us must be within range of the container’s actual weight, and that all the documentation is correct and does not raise suspicion. If the light is yellow or red, the container must be opened and inspected. Fortunately, our container passed with no problems and was able to continue on its journey via land, approximately 12 hours, until it reached our children’s home.

Another significant problem is getting the container down from the truck without a crane (see picture). In order to do this, our gardeners pile up a mound of sand and they tie the container with chains to a heavy weight, in this case to a bulldozer, which they slowly drive backward, pulling the container carefully off the truck. At the same time, the truck driver brings the truck forward slowly, slowly. A feeling of maximum tension hangs in the air!!!! After a thousand manoeuvres and a thousand curses, the container is slowly positioned, a bit at a time, on the mound of sand. It is a difficult and lengthy undertaking because there of the danger that the container may fall over. After hours of pulling and pushing, the container finally “lands”! In its belly it carries 356 packs of an total weight of 11,506 kg that are waiting to be unloaded, opened and emptied, and everything has to find its proper place – a job that lasts weeks. With bright eyes and timid smiles, the children come to snoop around curiously. They know that they will soon be receiving new clothes and the long-awaited shoes, and also that there will certainly be a nice toy. Even the staff members are taken aback by all the goods, but they understand that it is destined first for the children and their families in D’kar, and then, of course, to them as well. Everyone’s joy is immense.

The transportation costs for such a large 12m container amounts to 12,000 €. Thanks to the generosity of my brother-in-law, who offered us part of a small inheritance, we were able to resolve this critical problem. At a certain point we asked ourselves – as you may be doing so now – “Is it really worth spending so much money simply to transport of a single container?” After having gone over the accounts, I can confidently say YES!! Below I outline just a small and partial list of the various types of goods we transported, assigning a minimum cost:

232 blankets x 5 € = 1,160 €

266 bed sheets x 5 € = 1,300 €

1007 pairs of children and adult shoes x 2 € = 2,014 €

252 winter coats x 5 € = 1,260 €

2500 T-shirts x 1 € = 2,500 €

995 sweaters x 3 € =  2,975 €

623 long pants x 3 € = 1,896 €

80 kg of wool x 6 € = 480 €

700 kg of fabric x 5 € = 3,500 €

12 sewing machines x 70 € = 840 €

The total sum thus far is 17, 925 € and this covers only about half the goods; not included are the pedagogical materials, toys, bicycles, adult clothing, wool hats, and some furniture, etc. Twice a year, summer and winter, we resupply approximately 140 children (85 in the children’s home and about 55 additional) with clothing and shoes.

Many poor people do not have the possibility of buying clothes or shoes for their children. Some can really simply not afford to do so; others prefer to spend the little money they have on alcohol.

Since “our” children are properly clothed, they cough less and they rarely fall ill with bronchitis and ear infections. During the cold winter nights, blankets are indispensible. Even in Chinese shops, a good blanket often costs too much for those who have little or nothing. In D’kar, there are only unpaved roads made of sand, stone and thorny plants. The small feet of children who run around barefooted are marked by thorn pricks and other wounds that often get infected. For this reason, shoes are important.

All of the paper and scholastic material collected constitute an immense saving for us. The container holds almost all the pedagogical material needed for the classes. Even the women’s project is resupplied from the container: sewing machines, fabrics, thread and buttons represent, for our women, the possibility to learn and to work. This type of material cannot be found in Ghanzi. With much enthusiasm and joy, four of our women brought home their sewing machines with all the necessary material to continue working from home. They worked and saved to have all this. At home, they were able to have electricity installed, and they requested an official government permit to be able to work from home. With all of my heart, I wish them perseverance, patience and also, naturally, good luck in order to achieve their dreams of independence. If they require help or advice, they can always come see us at any moment. In January, another three women will begin their “internship” in our sewing shop. All of this has been possible thanks to your help.

At the end of this year, too, another 30 children or so will leave us to start elementary school; 30 new children will take their place. I am pleased and satisfied with their development in our pre-school; the children’s progress, as well as that of the teachers, is evident. You only have to think back to what the situation was ten years ago; the difference is huge!! Since our school opened its doors, around 300 children have moved onto elementary school in D’kar after spending 2-3 years with us. At this time, every one of them, without exception, attends school regularly. A few tried to run away and play truant from school, but we were always able to reason with them and their parents and have them return. Working hard with families in D’kar and periodically visiting the elementary school, we have been able – in one way or another – to know who is in attendance or not, and therefore to intervene in time. Our first three children will finish primary school at the end of this year, and will begin the three years of secondary school. They have reached an important goal; they have learned many things, but most importantly, they know how to read and write, and this ability can have a profound influence on their quality of life.

For the children of D’kar, our centre has become a point of reference and gathering, a place where they can learn and a warm nest where they find understanding and affection. The “Paolo Zanichelli Children’s Home” is truly a joyous and cheerful place that must continue to keep its doors open.

At this point, I would like to thank our local staff members who, with much commitment and a great deal of patience, carry out their work day by day. As in a large family, sometimes there is discussion, sometimes fighting, but in the end, everyone loves one another.

A special thank you must go to Maryna, who replaces me during my absences and carries out the administrative work with great care and precision.

We are fighting with all of our strength in order to ensure the continuity and sustainability of our project, and I assure you that your contribution is used to a good end.

Another special thank you to all those who donated their 5×1000 to our association, which is an important source of revenue that allows us to continue operating!

My very best wishes for a Happy Christmas and much peace for the New Year.

With gratitude,

Cecilia

P.S. Over the next 6 months, we will be collecting only children’s shoes (sizes 28-34), winter coats and blankets. Anyone who has yet to provide their mailing address, please send it to me at cecilia.mosaico@gmail.com

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