When they talk to me about the NGO ‘’Soñar Despierto’’, the first thing I think about is if the job of the volunteers of this association really consists in putting to practice what its name means. After being lucky enough to have worked with them and to have witnessed their amazing labor, I realize that they truly make you feel everything that their name evokes, you dream awake.
We arrived with excitement and nerves as it was our first initiative as an NGO. Even though it has nothing to do with the aims and objectives of Más Por Ellos, these raids are part of a whole which fills us and gives us the strength to keep pursuing our goals.
We met with Elisa Albella at the door, who I understand is the pioneer of the volunteering that takes place in Madrid, who not only has made the NGO known by many, but has also involved a lot of people in the simplest way, giving an example to all. In fact, almost all her friends are or have been involved in more than one activity of Soñar Despierto.
I would like to emphasize the human quality of these people, that like many other volunteers in Madrid, show us that it isn’t necessary to go far away to help, and that one can complete their professional formation with a human one, helping in associations like this one.
Soñar Despierto’s activities are mainly directed to kids and teenagers that come from marginal families with the aim of facilitating their integration. They are kids full of hope, curiosity and joy who listened and got very actively involved in the brief explanation of the activity we proposed to them, whilst they rubbed their hands conjuring up a way in which they would carry it out! A few cardboards and a row of buckets full of paint were ready on the tables waiting for these kids to begin.
‘’Maybe it’s the kids with the worst luck, who most value the work of the NGO we are talking to them about’’ I thought surprised by their patient and attentive attitude.
After 10 minutes of explanation, I saw in Diego’s face (a 5 year old boy) an expression that seemed to be telling me ‘’I think I’ve been good enough!’’ which was followed by the question ‘’Can we paint now?’’. Yes. Madness broke out and the room was filled with colors, laughs and happy faces.
The aim was to explain to them what Más Por Ellos was about, and later on, give them the opportunity to paint, with the hope of finding a young Picasso who would give us the idea for our logo. Picasso II was not within our audience, but we kept the amazing experience for future talks in other associations like this one. We kept the happiness of that day, and a new friend; Soñar Despierto.
Álvaro Mesonero Romanos
With thanks to Soñar Despierto and Más Por Ellos team: Amada Maxwell, Critina Aguirre, Ximena Pan de Soraluce and Ignacio Ruiz-Gallardon who helped us have an amazing afternoon!
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