Solidarity honeymoons: when "a little piece of your heart stays there"
Rafael and Jhoany and Alba and Griselda they were clear that they did not want a conventional honeymoon. They wanted to travel to a country in Africa and not get to know it “with tourist glasses”, but through volunteering. They are the first two couples who have celebrated their honeymoon in the kenya orphanage with which Tumaini collaborates. They both agree: the experience has brought them even closer. Even after months, they still get emotional when remembering her.
The decision was not difficult to make. “We didn't want a honeymoon like the usual, we wanted a more special one related to our concerns and way of being”, explain Rafa and Jhoany. “We knew that we could only get to know the most human part of a place with a volunteer service that would allow us to live day to day with people from the country, with their reality,” Alba and Griselda say.
Hard to forget stories
Both couples did not coincide at the same time in the kenya orphanage, but they collaborated with the little ones doing similar tasks: help with homework, cultural and sports activities, games, etc. They soon found stories difficult to forget: “many of the boys and girls were orphans; Others were there because their families could not afford anything else,” Rafa and Jhoany affirm.
Alba and Griselda were shocked a story in particular, that of Prisca. “One day we asked a group of girls what they wanted to be when they grew up. One girl, Prisca, without hesitation replied: "Brain surgeon!" We were surprised that he was so clear. Prisca was our guide, our light during our stay. That's why we believed that he could achieve everything he set out to do."
Confidence with the little ones grew with the days. "At first, the curiosity and ignorance of both parties made us be cautious, but the little ones themselves encouraged us to participate in the routines and games," Alba and Griselda explain. Besides, not speaking the same language was not an impediment. "Despite the language barrier, we made each other understand each other very well and we really enjoyed playing with them," say Rafa and Jhoany.
“In moments of downturn, we were always encouraged by the smile of a boy or girl”, add Alba and Griselda. "As Brian's ever contagious smile, a 4-year-old boy who one fine day, after a week's stay, appeared in our lives and recharged our batteries with energy”.
Solidarity trip as a couple
Is there also room for romantic moments in a supportive honeymoon? “Tumaini and the orphanage with which we collaborate were kind enough to leave us a room just for us”, explain Rafa and Jhoany. “One of the romantic moments that we remember took place at the end of the day. We sat in the patio to talk and rest.. Little by little, the boys and girls came to join us and we always laughed a lot”, they add.
“In our case, being two girls, we had to hide that we were on our honeymoon, since in Kenya homosexual relations are a crime. We knew what we were going for, and although there were difficult moments, we had our spaces of complicity. The last morning we were at the orphanage, for example, we get up very early to enjoy the sunrise, and thus share a romantic moment just the two of them”.
Anecdotes that always come back
“It took us 3 months to see all the photos of the trip. It was such an intense experience that it had us blocked, trying to assimilate what we had experienced”, Alba and Griselda explain. "After half a year, we still have the trip in mind. When we think or talk about it we get excited. It seems that time has not passed and that we are still there ”, they add.
For their part, Rafa and Johany They are already thinking of making a solidarity trip again. “We have already talked several times about repeating, we are struck by the trip to bolivia to take care of rescued fauna”.
We will be delighted that you repeat and we encourage all couples who are thinking of doing a different honeymoon to celebrate it "with solidarity glasses”!
Rafa and Jhoany traveled to Kenya in September 2015. Alba and Griselda, in September 2016.
Post by Vanesa Sánchez, communication Tumaini
Faustino Rivero Sanchez Covisa
Rafa and Johany, a pleasure to have met you and spend a few days with you there.
Honestly for people with your language barrier, the integration was fantastic. My wallpaper photo was the one that Johany took for me the last day and to which I thank him ten thousand times for his passion.
I still remember when you decided to take out all the mattresses of four of the girls and have them to spray against bedbugs. I think everyone, including Julius, was shocked by your initiative. Chapó!!, take care of yourselves.
Tumaini Travels
From Tumaini we thank all the people who have collaborated in this orphanage and who continue to do so in different ways. So it's nice to work and feel that we do it as a team for the good of all these boys and girls! It is an example that little by little and working as a team, many things can be achieved. Thank you very much!
Casual Traveler
My Honeymoon It was in San Jose. I really liked it, and it's an experience I'll never forget. For this very reason I know the importance of the work you do. Cheer up!