VOLUNTEERING IN FRANCE

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

Alexandra Godfrey

This photo story is inspired by the incredible journeys of the children in Group 77 of HCPT who traveled this past Easter week. Their smiles and vibrant personalities are shown through this collection of photos HCPT is a British charity which have worked to facilitate Easter travels for disadvantaged children to Lourdes, France, since its start in 1956. This close knit community welcomes anyone and everyone, and aims to introduce the children to new cultures and friends in a safe and comfortable environment. Not only does this offer the opportunity for children to have a fully funded holiday, but it allows for relationship building with the various helpers traveling During Easter week, I, and many other volunteers, traveled in Group 77 alongside thousands of other people in their respective groups from around the world. I met some very generous people - teachers, nurses, students alike - who volunteered their Easter vacation to create an enjoyable and cheerful holiday for the kids. Through these photos I hope to illustrate the overwhelming sense of love felt throughout this week I hope to portray the joy of the children, and the pride of the helpers as the children slowly, but surely, opened up to one another to show their loving, caring selves. Spending a week with people you barely know may seem daunting, but the visible growth of the children, and the impact these experiences have on them, certainly makes it worthwhile. Just as was said to the children dreading the goodbyes at the end of the week, “a hard goodbye signifies a great week full of lasting memories where lifelong friendships have formed”