Project "Sandy feet" 🇱🇹

What may seem ordinary to one person can still be a brave, unfulfilled dream for another – to see the sea.

The project "Sandy Feet" originated from the desire to show the sea to children who had not seen it before. However, the project is not just about fulfilling this dream and having the first encounter with the sea; it is about expanding children's horizons, encouraging them to set goals, inspiring them to dream more, and believe that dreams can come true. We aimed to show them that the world is full of opportunities that are open to them, and we are ready to help pave the way for them and provide support when they stumble. The charity organization FutureSelf Group is all about support, assistance, inspiration, belief, and creating a brighter tomorrow. We strive not only to implement projects but also to build a connection with children, letting them understand that even after the project is over, we will not turn away from them; we will be a source of support and a point of reference.

The project lasted for two days, and the days were quite intense. The children had the opportunity to see and experience a lot. On the first day, we settled in, got to know each other, had lunch, and went to the hotel pool, where emotions overflowed. The children eagerly awaited their first meeting with the sea, and we waited for the sun and sky to gradually light up with golden hues. We wanted the children to see the sea and the beach at their most beautiful moment. A picnic awaited the children by the sea, along with Justinas Jankevičius, who made the children's first encounter with the sea even more memorable by engaging in all the games and activities, sincerely listening to each child's stories, and sharing his own.

The entire beach echoed with children's laughter; we played volleyball together, jumped over waves, flew kites, and built sand castles - it was incredibly beautiful to witness the connection the children created with each other. The sea brought us all together. One of the children filled a bottle with water, wanting to have the sea always beside him; others enjoyed picking up stones, while some just wanted to swim in the sea and catch waves all the time. Each one found joy in different things, but the sparkle in their eyes was the same. Upon returning to our place, the older children, instead of pizzas, offered to cook dinner for everyone - they grilled food on a campfire. The help from the older children was truly unbelievable, how much they assisted the younger ones, how sincerely they cared for each one. Once again, we saw that genuine future heroes are growing! That evening, the children shared their dreams, and we shared ours. We tried to create a safe environment for them where they would feel comfortable, and we believe we succeeded!

The next day held more adventures - we walked on the Palanga Bridge, took a ride on the Ferris wheel, the children enjoyed themselves in the amusement park, and we visited the zoo. Those two days passed incredibly quickly, but we hope they inspired and opened doors to a brighter future for the children.