Happy Days on "Love Boat"

[Pi55y]

“Happy days” were definitely here today, in fact I would say that today was one of the happiest days that Pete and I have experienced since we started coming to Turkey 18 years ago.  For today was the day that the 3C’s took 15 youngsters and the house mothers from the Fethiye “Love Homes” on their first ever boat trip.

The 15 boys and girls from the three Fethiye “Love Houses” were so excited that they did not get much sleep last night.  We had arranged to meet at the day boat “Happy Days” in Fethiye harbor at 10.30 am this morning but at 9.30, just as we were getting showered to go out, we received a phone call to say that the youngsters were down at the harbour waiting to board!

We quickly loaded the car with trays of carton juices, big bottles of coke, lemonade, water, crisps and sweets (these were all bought for the love home youngsters from the generous donation given by two young British girls who were recently staying with George (Rimms) – see separate post http://www.calis-beach.co.uk/forum/calis_childrens_charity/a_nice_story_52278.0.html  - thank you girls.

We arrived at the boat and met up with the youngsters, their house “mothers”, 2 of their teachers, Dilek Dincer, Director of FETAV, and her assistant Kadriye, and 8 other members of the 3C’s committee.  The children could not believe that they were going to be on the boat all day or that they were going to eat their lunch on the boat – “are we really going to do that?” they asked us in awe.


Prior to the boat trip we had been advised that “Happy Days”, which takes a maximum of 40 people  would be an ideal size boat for the children, who are all aged  between 8 and 15,  as they had never been on a boat trip before and we did not know if they were able to swim or not. 

We had discussed the route with the Captain who advised that rather than the long and tiring trip to the 12 Islands with the usual crowded and deep swim stops, that it would be far better to sail across to Red Island where the boat could moor up in the shallow water and the children could swim safely and even go ashore and chase the rabbits.  He then proposed that we sail back to Sovaliye Island where the boat could moor up at the jetty and the youngsters could either swim or explore the island.  We cannot thank the Captain and crew enough for their help in planning the day and their diligence today as they were watching out for the safety of the children both on the boat and in the water at all times.

We would love to post pictures of the youngsters but unfortunately, and understandably, we have to respect the privacy of these youngsters who are all orphans or whose family are unable to look after them, so we were unable to take any photographs of them to publish, although one of the teachers did take lots of photos for the children’s own personal “memory boards” which are in their bedrooms.    However I hope that the following words can conjure up a few pictures of the youngsters enjoying themselves.

Imagine a line of excited youngsters sitting at the front of the boat, legs hanging over the side as the boat slowly leaves Fethiye harbour,  their excited chatter as they watch  the other boats going out around them as if in convoy,   their first glimpses of Letoonia and Sovaliye island  and then their shrieks of delight as  they spot the famous Fethiye “Pirate ship”  which just “had to be Jack Sparrows”,  as we round the headland, quickly followed by a brief lull in chatter  as the boat starts to rock as we hit choppier waters and they grip the handrail harder on the way to Red Island.

Safety moored in the bay at Red Island, imagine the trepidation of one little girl complete with Disney arm bands and goggles as she walks down the gang plank into the sea for the first time.  In the end I had to carry her to the shallows where after just 15 minutes she was swimming like a fish and she and a friend were bobbing for stones and shells on the bottom.  By the end of the day she was jumping in off the steps on the side of the boat! She still had her arm bands on but bets are she will be swimming without them quite soon.

Imagine two lads of around 12 who decide that fishing is more their thing than swimming and the look of delight on their faces as they catch their first fish.  After that they spend the whole day fishing off the front of the boat, with just a quick break for lunch.  By the end of the day they had caught 50-60 small fish between them which they insisted would be that night’s dinner for them and their newfound brothers and mothers back at their love home!

Imagine the older boys who couldn’t wait for the boat to stop so that they could jump off the side and into the sea, They would probably have still been out there now jumping and swimming if it wasn’t time to go home.

Imagine the bigger kids (namely Kevin, Graham and the two Pete's of the 3C’s) taking on the youngsters at ball games in the sea – it was really difficult to tell who the grownups were!

It was a really lovely day; the youngsters were delightful, polite and really well mannered.  That’s not to say we did not have horseplay – after all they are kids - we had many a woggle and water fight with lots of soakings but it was all really good fun and good natured and, when we returned to Fethiye and disembarked, all of the children came up to all of the 3C’s members and either shook their hand or kissed them on the cheeks and said thank you for their lovely day.

We at the 3C’s are sure that the youngsters will remember today for a long, long time, as will we, as it was a real pleasure to be with them. We have now decided that we will make this an annual boat trip for the youngsters and hopefully next year the younger children at the Ciftlik love homes will also be old enough to join us.

Finally continuing the ‘feel good factor’ during the trip we heard the really good news that two of the girls at the girls love house in Fethiye have been officially adopted by a Fethiye family so that is a really happy ending for them.   Three new girls will be arriving shortly from Mugla and will be moving into the love home to complete the family unit.

Thanks to everyone who helped to make this special day for these lovely youngsters possible       

[Fran]

What a lovely post, the children must have loved it.

[Lotty]

I can't find words to describe what a truly wonderful thing you have done here. I'm so choked up now. This particular charity touches me so much. We take a lot for granted with our cosy loving families. I cannot begin to imagine how it must feel not having one or just being unable to live with them. These children are truly blessed though with the kindest of humanity in their wonderful house mothers and the tireless generosity of the supporting three C's charity. Rimm's young British girls should feel very, very proud of themselves. I can picture the excitement and awe at the children's first trip on a boat or even first visit to the sea. We should be humbled a their simple pleasure of things we accept as the norm. Thank you for all your marvellous work in making an amazing day and certainly fabulous memories for these beautiful innocent children.        

[patrice]

What wonderful people you are 

[Highlander]

In all honesty, I simply cannot find the words to express my utter and total respect for the work done by the 3C's.  

[badger]

 
A memory they will never forget 

Well done 3 C's

[Tineathers]

What a wonderful post. Great respect for all those who made this wonderful trip possible.

[lissa]

In a world where much of the news is dreadful, this is wonderful post.

[Scunner]

In all honesty, I simply cannot find the words to express my utter and total respect for the work done by the 3C's.   

Agreed, but let's also remember that without the generosity of so many, 3Cs couldn't do their great work. If topics like this can't get new supporters on board reaching for their wallet, then nothing can. This organisation take your fiver and after their costs and other admin expenses etc spend £5.00 exactly on needs and causes and dreams like this one. 100%, all, every last penny donated.

So well done 3Cs once more, and well done every supporter and donor who's money they spend so well.

[Anne]

Who needs photographs when you described today's events so beautifully Chrissy.
Well done to everyone involved