As soon as I stepped into the living room of my mishpachton, Eleanor ran up to me screaming, “Are you the Pittsburgheet?” with a huge grin across her face. At first, I was bewildered, but as soon as she took me by the hand and began showing me around The Children’s Village with her endless chatting I felt easily at home. She took me to the room that I would share with Orly and Rotem. Orly welcomed me with a smile and a warm hug. She allowed me to choose the bed of my preference in the room. As a group of three, Orly, Eleanor and I went to the playground where all of the children were playing at the time. I was immediately attacked with hugs and smiles from everyone there. Tom sprinted over and pulled me into the game of tag he was playing with Denis. We chased each other around the village laughing all the while until it was time for dinner. Back in the Mishpachton I met another one of the children there, Anna. With the help of our Bat Sheroot, Eden, she turned to me and proudly asked in English if I would give her a hug. From that first moment, we easily connected. Within this first hour of being in the Village, I became part of a loving and welcoming family. Kids I had never met ran up to me and embraced me with a hug allowing me to easily connect with everyone. This unique environment and feeling of warmth is one of the many special qualities of The Children’s Village.
In addition to the loving and welcoming community that embraced me, the individual connections I made with the kids impacted my trip greatly. I had a unique and personal relationship with every kid in my Mishpachton that I will cherish forever.
Anna gave me endless hugs and we held hands everywhere we went. She told me stories about her family back home and her boyfriend.
Tom and I listened to music together on every bus ride. He showed me all of his favorite songs. Somehow, I also ended up picking up lunch with him every time it was his turn to get it for the Mishpachton.
Orly’s signature line was, “This is no fair,” which she would say with a sheepish smile whenever I lapsed into speaking English with our close friend Rotem. I know she understands more English than she gives herself credit for.
Rotem and I would stay up late into the night talking about anything and everything. She would practice her English while I would practice speaking in Hebrew.
Vicilli taught me how to play all of his favorite video games. I had to watch out for him to pop out from every closed door in order to scare me!
Denis made me feel welcome and at home in the Mishpachton. He would always offer to make me a dinner plate or push me to take more food (in the usual Israeli fashion) when I was too shy to do so.
Eleanor chatted nonstop in her famous drama-queen style. She loved to proudly show off her impressive slime collection and offered to let me play with it.
Moshiko and I talked about his band’s tour and his upcoming trip to Pittsburgh! Through watching him interact with the other kids from the Mishpachton, it is clear that he is a role model and older brother to them despite the close age difference.
The connection I made with each individual kid from my Mishpachton, and The Village as a whole, allowed me to learn something different. In the Village I learned about strength and love from each of the children. I learned about the power of the community and support for each other. While I went there to volunteer my services, I feel that my experience there benefited me more than I ever expected. I connected with a group of amazing people who have not been provided with the same opportunities as I have. Therefore, I have learned not take for granted all that I have been given throughout my life. My experience in The Village allowed me to put into perspective the endless opportunities that have been provided to me and how different life is for other kids. Furthermore, I have been inspired to give back in other ways as well. For example, I have become involved in Innovation: Africa which is a service project that brings electricity and clean water to various villages in Africa. Overall, my experience at The Children’s Village and the close connections I made with all of the children there has impacted me greatly.
I would like to thank my parents, Tsipy Gur, and Classrooms Without Borders, as a whole, for providing me with this life changing opportunity. I hope to return to The Children’s Village soon!