We walked into the compound of the Kindergarten in the Alemgena district in Ethiopia to be greeted by a picture I’ll never forget; over fifty children aged between 3 and 7 years standing in rows singing ten green bottles in English just for us. The children held bunches of green foliage with a plastic flower in each bunch, their bright faces all aglow at the very special visitors –‘us’. They also sang songs in their own language which could have been Oromo or Amharic (I’m ashamed to admit I don’t know).

After the singing the children gathered round us and presented their flowers. We walked round the three classrooms, one of which LUCIA had bought the furniture for, then on to see the play ground equipment. All the while over fifty pairs of eyes followed us round and any chance to touch us was taken.

The visit was all over so quickly and so was the feeling of being special guests. The children didn’t mind us keeping the green foliage but could they have their plastic flowers back?? Oh well, capturing their attention for a little while was great but at the end of the day children all over the world are the same. They are very busy and their friends are waiting.

At the Kindergarten, LUCIA supports twenty orphaned girls, providing three meals a day, a foster home, school uniform, books and medical care. LUCIA bought the playground furniture to improve the school’s facilities in the hope it would encourage parents who could afford the school fees to send their children to the well equipped Kindergarten. The classroom furniture was a necessity. On our visit we provided pens, books and writing material which are always gratefully received.

Every child should be given a chance.