«Our work there couldn’t have been more rewarding. The smallest gesture—whether offering help, conversation, play, or attention—was returned with a huge smile and a look full of infinite gratitude.»
Carmen María Fernández
GAES Oviedo – India, in collaboration with the Vicente Ferrer Foundation
When I found out I would be traveling to India to take part in the Speech Therapy Project—carried out by Fundación GAES Solidaria and the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in Anantapur with hearing-impaired children at the Bukkaraya school—I packed my suitcase full of excitement and hope, along with a few fears (customs, insects, language...) and a deep desire to help in any way I could. At that moment, I couldn’t begin to imagine how much this experience would come to mean to me. That excitement multiplied a thousandfold the moment I arrived and met those children, and all the fears magically disappeared.
Getting to know the Vicente Ferrer Foundation, discovering the number of projects they run, seeing their outstanding organization and the impeccable work they do to reach everyone—it was truly fascinating and inspiring.
Our work there couldn’t have been more rewarding. The smallest gesture—whether helping, chatting, playing, or simply giving them attention—was returned with a huge smile and a look full of infinite gratitude, and that completely captured my heart forever. I came back with far more than I took, and with every single smile I received.
And finally, having the good fortune to share this experience with a colleague and person like Javi, and to meet so many extraordinary people along the way, was another gift I’ll carry with me forever.