Testimonial From Cécile in algerian desert
AUTISM 2024 KM
Cécile Testimonial for her trip during december 2023
With this new edition of immersion in the desert near Djanet, we have been granted a new human adventure. Sharing it with those interested is our duty so that they may grasp its significance and benefits: for oneself and for those around us.
The images captured from the sublime places we approached perfectly convey the beauty and harmony that nature offers us. But we can only encourage those who are still hesitating to take the plunge, as words and screens can never replace the emotions that overwhelmed us on the spot.
Let’s first talk about the reception we received: By Moussa, our gracious host/guide, and his Tuareg family, present throughout the journey with an organization and a philosophy of life that command admiration.
Two cooks, and the team—Pride, humility, and intelligence at every moment perfectly sum up the beauty of these desert men, far richer in their material simplicity than the wealthiest will ever be: hard to compete with the richness of the heart!
The visit to the Pediatric Psychiatric Center of Djanet, its children, and their supervisors was also an incredible emotional « challenge » for those of us who had the chance to meet them during the previous edition in January (Sahara 2023). It was also an emotional experience for the « newcomers » in this new Saharan adventure, among whom were children who connected with other children, labeled as « different. »
Specifically, among these « newcomers, » we were fortunate to have two families who, in many respects, must constantly traverse multiple, less welcoming deserts… but whose quality of being can only inspire admiration and respect. Raw courage. No self-pity or sentimentality!
There are exceptional moments in our lives, and this week, the caravan we formed together has been the strongest point of this journey for me. Since then, I can’t stop mentally replaying the portraits of each one of you, which form a kind of extended but united family bound by the same feelings of empathy and kindness towards others. With you, one can still believe in humanity and what it can produce at its best. Thank you!
Lastly, I want to pay tribute to Laïd, tireless in the mission he has undertaken, through an association aptly named ‘Plus d’oxygène’ (More Oxygen), to offer everyone the opportunity to surpass their own limits or those imposed by our societies. There are personalities one feels capable of following to the ends of the earth, and Laïd is one of them.
Thank you, Laïd,
Thank you, Adam, and all the extraordinary children,
Thank you to the parents and all the caring caregivers who challenge our ways of thinking.
Cécile
