What an absolutely fabulous little vacation for us 8 volunteers (Pallavi, Janine, Sonal, Nayur, Sandra, Alysha, Josh, me), but even more for the twenty children and 2 moms that were chosen to join us: Reshma, Bismilla, Dilshaad, Mallika, Rukshar, Saif, Muskaan, Rajeshree, Bhagyashree, Nitin, Raziya, Kajol, Ramesh, Nilesh, Jayenti, Ramoo, Sanju, Kishor, Usha, Poonam, Moms—Fatima and Rekha.

We woke up the children at 3 in the morning! Some of them had already gotten ready the night before!

The train ride was long, but when we arrived in Goa, the bus was ready and waiting. The hotel we stayed at was lovely and the owner, Richard, more than generous. It was phenomenal. He fed us, arranged the bus, and of course let us sleep!!!

The children were talking about the trip for many days after, and the children that didn’t get to go are already talking about working harder so that they will be chosen to go next year. A great gift to be able to give!

Combining family trips with One! is becoming common for Tania and Marilyn. Christmas in England with Tania’s nieces allowed for a quick trip to Europe to visit sponsors and volunteers.

Gerlinde Braumiller’s family in Austria welcomed and fed us. Gerlinde and GCC sponsor Beatrice Bartl showed us the sights of Salzburg.

Volunteer Sandra Baumgartner arranged a presentation in Leichenstien for family and friends. The Leichenstien group has already donated over $3,000.00 “in memory of loved ones”. The Goa trip for “our” children was made possible through this donation.

In Switzerland we visited GCC sponsors Catherine and Brigitte Bauer and their mother Francine. Francine has been financially supporting One! from the very beginning. She welcomed us into her home and showed us the sights of northern Switzerland.

In England we were able to visit another volunteer Tracey Noon and her family who have just recently moved back to Bristol, England from India.