Patricia (13) and Bianca (12), Romania

«It’s ok to be different.»

Patricia (13) and Bianca (12) from Romania

Patricia and Bianca are very lively and start chatting right away. Both girls speak English quite well, so well that they hardly need the translator to make themselves understood. They have come from our project in Romania to take part in a two-week Intercultural Exchange Project in Trogen.

When asked what they have learned during their stay in the Children’s Village, Bianca explains: «I have learned how people who are excluded feel. It is an uncomfortable feeling that I don’t wish on anybody. You know, it does not matter at all which language you speak, where you come from, how you look like or how old you are. Your heart tells you when someone can become your friend. Friends are very important. You never know what will happen in life, and if something bad happens you can count yourself lucky if you have many friends. But even if your heart is not sure, you don’t have to exclude other people. You wouldn’t like it if it happened to you.»

Patricia adds: «It’s ok to be different. But first you have to understand and accept who you are. Once you do that, differences can be very exciting. It is important that we accept each other, even if we are not always of the same opinion. I know that now. And I will tell it to my friends at home. Maybe I will even show them some of the games we played here. I will see.»