One journey and many emotions

More than a trip, it was an experience full of emotions that we had in Eritrea. The main objective was of course to visit the places of the  projects supported by Smile Project, to get to know and meet the people carrying them forward on the territory, but it was also an opportunity to get to know at least a little bit of the wonderful Eritrea, and to be able to talk about it.

Smile Project follows the projects step by step, works with the people on the territory, in agreement with the Eritrean Ministry of Labour and Welfare… it is therefore essential to regularly visit the places to which the energy and funds collected by the association are allocated. To verify that the aid is effective, that the ways are right, that everyone is involved and the energies properly channelled correctly. Not least, for those who follow and support Smile Project to get to know Eritrea, was certainly a wish!
So, loaded with sweets, clothes, and a few computer devices to donate, we set off from Florence, each with a particular connection to Smile or to Eritrea: there were those who were born and lived in Eritrea, those who have Eritrean relatives and those who dedicate their time to the association as volunteers, but we all had the aim of visiting Smile’s projects, helping Elsa, Smile’s founder, in her work… and to get to know this wonderful country.

The trip included a stop at each of the projects supported by Smile Project, the orphanage, Eri Handcraft, the school for the blind and the deaf-mute association, and a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Welfare. We also spent some time getting to know Eritrea: Asmara, the ‘jewel of Africa’ with its fantastic colonial architecture, the multi-ethnic Keren, an authentic slice of Africa clinging to the mountainside; Massawa, a port and exotic city.
So many things seen, so many photos taken and so many emotions felt! We have then thought of telling this experience to those who follow us through a series of articles on this site. Follow us and you will discover a lot about Eritrea and Smile’s projects.