During my three weeks in the village of Kitelakapel, I had an experience that deeply enriched and changed me. From day one, I was welcomed with warmth and joy by the Comboni Lay Missionaries-Linda, Pius and Maya-and by the villagers. Each day was an opportunity to learn, share and grow with them.
We spent much of our time visiting local schools and working side by side with the village children and youth in the compound. Despite the lack of material resources, there was an incredible human richness: all it took was a look, a smile, a hug or a laugh to feel immediately at home. The simplicity of their lives taught me to appreciate the little things and to rediscover the value of essentiality.
What impressed me most was to see how the children and young people enjoyed themselves with so little. Every game, every moment together was precious, because what really mattered was being there for each other. Their joy and gratitude was a constant reminder of how much we often take for granted in our lives.
If you want to go first, run alone; if you want to go far, walk together-this is a Kenyan proverb that I got to hear and learn during my stay, and now that I have returned to my daily routine, I can say that this proverb has universal value. In our modern lives, which are often geared toward individual success, we forget the importance of walking together with others. Whether in personal life, work, or community, walking together leads not only to a greater sense of belonging, but also teaches us the humility and strength that comes from being part of something bigger than ourselves. In the village, I experienced what it means to be community: the important thing is not to focus only on the speed of our journey, but on the quality and depth of our relationships along the way. It is a reminder that in order to build something meaningful and lasting, it is essential to walk together, step by step.
I am grateful to God for allowing me to have this extraordinary experience. It has filled my heart and soul with rejuvenating emotions, and it has shown me how much you can receive even when you think you are going there to give. Give what you don’t have,” wrote Alessandro Manzoni back in the 1800s, ”the secret of happiness is precisely this: giving goes beyond the simple act of giving something material, it is an invitation to offer others what, on the surface, we might lack ourselves, but which can be generated and shared through our being and our spirit.
I will always carry with me the faces, smiles and stories of these wonderful people who taught me the true meaning of sharing and Love for self, others and God.
Elisabetta
