Sisters Nare and Ani live in a quiet village surrounded by hills and fields. Life there is simple. Their father works abroad most of the year, and their mother holds everything together at home. Nare, the older sister, has learned to help early. She washes dishes, fetches water from the spring, helps with the little ones, and keeps an eye on Ani when their mom is busy. There’s love in their home, but not much room for play. Days are often quiet, and summers tend to pass slowly. So when the opportunity came to join Diaconia’s summer camp, it felt like something entirely new — like stepping out of their usual world and into a storybook.

From the moment they arrived at camp, things felt different. There were bright colors, music playing, and volunteers who greeted them with smiles and open arms. For the first time in a long time, the girls didn’t have to worry about chores or responsibilities. They just got to be kids. They painted, ran, laughed, and joined group games with children from other villages. At first, Ani was shy — she clung to Nare’s hand and didn’t say much. But after the first day, something changed. She started to smile more. She joined the singing circle. She even performed a little dance with her group. Nare, usually the helper, finally got to be just a big sister — not a caretaker.

On the last night of camp, the girls made matching bracelets. One for Ani, one for Nare — a little promise to each other to remember this summer. Before boarding the bus back home, they hugged their volunteers goodbye, holding tight and whispering “thank you” with full hearts. Now back in their village, their days are still simple — but they carry something new. Memories of laughter. A sense of belonging. And the hope that next year, they’ll be back.