Once, maybe three or four years ago, I travelled to a small village in South of Africa called Chimoroa and I stayed there during a month. It’s true that it’s an unknown place but, it’s precisely the reason why I went there. I didn’t want to stay in a place just for fun, while lots of people were suffering around me; I just wanted to be helpful as much as I could. So, I went to Chimoroa because I had searched information about this place before travelling there and I had discovered that there was a place there where people can forget their poor living conditions for a while, a place where they all work together for everyone and not just for themselves, a place which gives them signs of hope despite poverty.

So, when I arrived there, the first thing I did, obviously, was visiting this curious place. It was situated near the coast so there weren’t so many trees or flora around. Nevertheless, the small building was made with wood and leaves. As I’ve said, it was such a small building, so it seems impossible that it could make people be happy. But, when I realised all the other things that were around it, I had to swallow my own words. Mr. Taku, the man who has managed this place and its motion, received me so kindly, and during all the afternoon he explained and showed me all the incredible mechanisms and inventions that they had built to solve their problems.

At first, they had to solve their problem with water, because there wasn’t enough for everyone in the village, so, with lots of wood and lianas they built a piping system that allow them to bring water from the small river, five kilometres far, to his village. They also have organised them in turns to go hunting or to collect fruits, but also to manufacture instruments which they used after to make small concerts around the bonfire at nights. I stayed there one of those nice nights and it was surprising how happy were they then and how they were enjoying the music that came from those rudimentary instruments.

But, the thing that really surprised me there was that every night, after dancing and laughing steadily, everyone got calmed and sat down quietly on some big trunks that they had put before around the fire. Then, a little girl took an old book that seemed about to get broken any time, with worn pages and a dirty cover. Even so, she started reading. It was always the same story about an old man called Burik, who, since his childhood, had dreamed of reaching the moon. He knew that it would be difficult, but he never gave up. Every day he picked up everything he found on the floor, though it was small or useless, and piled it on the same place. He did it throughout years and years without giving up, so, at least, one day he could accomplish his dream.

When the young girl stopped reading, there was a strange silence. It wasn’t an awkward silence, it was a different kind of silence; a silence that spread hope and strength from all the dwellers that always stared nowhere after listening to this beautiful tale. It was incredible for me to see how a simple book could be so useful and helpful to people when they got nothing at all, just themselves.

After a month, when I had to leave Chimoroa, Mr. Taku and all of the inhabitants organised a farewell party for me and after that, they gave me a small amulet made with wood that symbolized ‘NEVER FORGET HOPE’.

It was a soulful experience for me that I’m sure I’ll never forget, especially the most important thing I could learn there, that I’ll never be able to thank to Chimoroa people; being happy it’s easier than we usually think, with effort, value, dedication, patience and hope we will achieve everything we want, provided that it’s beneficial for everyone. We just need to work all together and never give up.

Lídia Roig Canales (2n Batx.)