“Have you got everything? Are you sure? It is a long way.”
“You worry too much, Mum. I’ll be fine. There are a lot of us, so no worries, please. Love you.”
The car door slammed, and the car disappeared down the road. She was off.
“What an adventure: to help children you have never met on the other side of the world. I am so proud of you, all of you,” I whispered as I shut the door.
An orphanage in the Philippines needed a hall where the children could assemble for education, sport, and fun, especially in the monsoon weather. The children in several schools in the UK were asked to volunteer to do a sponsored 40-kilometre walk so a hall could be built.
ANCOP, meaning answering the cry of the poor, is a Catholic charity organising the walk. They started in the afternoon and walked through the night, in the dark, chattering excitedly at what might lie ahead, and encouraging one another as things became tougher.
As darkness fell, tiredness and strange noises intruded. “What was that?” “Only an owl.” “I have just seen a fox; saw its eyes in the dark first.” “I never knew there were so many moths and other insects and creatures active at night while I slept.”
Some families and pets joined the last few kilometres to encourage their children to the
finish line. What an adventure: new friendships made, new stories and memories to carry into the future, of the day, and night, their combined efforts brought joy, care, and friendship to others unknown, thousands of miles away and in need.
(C) 2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
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