A few days ago, a team of volunteers from Isla ng Bata accomplished a new sporting feat: together with Francesco, our president, they swam across the Strait of Messina. The goal, as always, was to raise awareness as many people as possible about the plight of many children in the Philippines and to raise funds for our family home. We’ll tell you how it went and provide links to see photos of this epic day and to donate. Thank you all!
There are challenges that are faced with the arms, with breath, and with the strength of the legs, and then there are others that are faced above all with the heart.
The Crossing of the Strait of Messina on September 6th was both: a sporting challenge, certainly, but above all a moment of extraordinary sharing born from the desire to be together for a cause close to our hearts, that of Isla ng Bata.
In the waters of the Strait, there was not only the desire to reach the other shore, there was the awareness of doing something together, of transforming a personal challenge into a collective gesture and of contributing to a project capable of building a future and opportunities for many children.
Making this experience even more special was the presence of Alessia Zecchini, an extraordinary champion and athlete who epitomizes determination, who shared this day with us.
Kilometer after kilometer, she once again showed us her affection for our girls, whom she met personally during her visits to Family Home and whom she chose to support with us!
Among the images we will take with us is certainly that of our President, Francesco Izzo, who has decided to get involved himself.
Francesco is not an expert swimmer, and for this very reason his participation takes on an even greater meaning. Entering the water, tackling the Strait of Messina, and continuing the crossing means accepting a challenge that goes far beyond athletic performance. It requires the courage to step out of your comfort zone, to face fatigue, and to demonstrate that, when there is strong motivation, even the seemingly impossible can become possible.
The real star of the day, however, was the team.
Different people, with different stories, skills, and experiences, united by the same motivation. Every stroke, every encouragement, every shared moment helped make the crossing something more than a simple sporting feat.
Being together for a cause also means this: feeling that each individual’s struggle can become everyone’s strength.
And as the Strait flowed around us and the dolphins accompanied us in this act of solidarity, it was impossible not to think about why we were there. To Isla ng Bata, to the girls we welcome in the Family Home, to the people who make the project possible every day, and to everything we can build when we choose to be there.
The crossing is over, but our challenge doesn’t end with the arrival on the other shore.
On the occasion of the Crossing of the Strait, we have launched a fundraiser to support Isla ng Bata, which will remain active until the end of September https://gofund.me/4460c93d3
It’s an opportunity to transform the emotion of that day into something concrete, together again!
View the Gallery, with all the images of the Solidarity Crossing to Isla!