diary

Coalition for Kids International & Fundacja Dziecieca Fantazja
Journey for a Lifetime
Thanks to the commitment, good-will and passion of our international youth volunteers, Coalition for Kids
International and Fundacja Dziecieca Fantazja are able to make even more dreams come true for terminally ill
children in Poland. Since 2004, over 4,000 beautiful children’s wishes have been granted.
On June 28, 2015, 12 Canadian students departed from Halifax, Canada to Frankfurt, Germany, with Condor Airlines on
their 12 day Journey for a Lifetime. After a brief tour of Frankfurt and then 2 days in Berlin, where they were immersed
in the history and culture of this powerful city, they began their life-changing experience in Poland. The students split
into two groups - each group travelling over 1000 km - to meet 25 terminally-ill children in their homes to personally
deliver their humble wishes. They would bring joy and happiness to the children, their families and caregivers - and to
countless other sick children they met in hospitals. They would change the lives of many - including their own.
The children’s wishes are very humbling - for most of them, their greatest joy is knowing that someone cares.
We would like to share this photo extract of their journey with you…
On the top of the Reichstag
Brandenburg Gate
Holocaust Memorial
Berliner Dom
Malwina, 17, from Kutno, fights against a brain tumor
Malwina is a very lonely teenager. We visited her just 6 days
after she had an operation to remove the remaining tumor
from her brain. We brought her the tablet she wished for to connect her to the outside World. And lots of smiles too!
Igor, 8, from Dąbrówka fights against acute leukemia lymphoblast
Igor dreamed of having a battery operated car. He drove it the
whole time we were there and never got off once!
What a driver!
Igor was the happiest boy ever!
Mikołaj, 18, from Nowy Dwór fights against acute leukemia
myeloblastic
Mikołaj wished for a tool set and a tablet. When he
received both of them he couldn’t believe that his dream
had come true!
The Children’s Hospital in Bydgoszcz
We delivered books and craft supplies to the Children’s Hospital in Bydgoszcz and played with the children for hours
and hours! We had so much fun!
Igor, 8, from Białośliwie suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and
microcephaly
Igor also has difficulty communicating and so his mom was helping us. Igor wished for educational toys and we brought
him lots and lots.
Anna, Igor’s physiotherapist, told us about the benefits of playing with interactive toys because they trigger certain
muscles. We were so happy to see Igor playing with, and responding to, the toys we brought him.
Mateusz, 10, from Bydgoszcz suffers from spina bifida
Mateusz is a bright and outgoing child. Even though our arrival was a surprise to him, he greeted us with a big smile
and open arms. Together we helped him set up his new PS Vita and build his new Lego set. Mateusz was very relaxed
talking with us, he told us all about the camp he will be attending and his love for all animals. We will never forget him!
Ola, 18, from Stążki suffers from spina bifida
Ola’s family history was tragic and very tough, especially on her sister who has been looking after Ola for 15 years, since
her mom died when she was 3. Despite her past, Ola was very optimistic and independent. You could easily tell she
was very strong and resilient. Ola has a great love for animals and she showed us all of her pet cats and dogs. Saying
goodbye to Ola was difficult for us all - she really wanted to come with us when we left.
Klaudia, 15, from Korytowo fights against acute leukemia myeloid
We visited Klaudia in hospital. She was not feeling very well when we arrived
but our visit helped cheer her up.
Klaudia wished for a smartphone and she was so happy to get it!
Klaudia, 10, from Nowa Cerkiew suffers from tuberous sclerosis
Klaudia has numerous tumors in her brain which affect
her speech and coordination. Klaudia got lots of clothes
and toys and she was very, very happy!
Lena, 5, from Niezabyszewo fights against agyria and microcephaly
Lena loves music and she dreamed of having children’s musical instruments and toys. She absolutely loved them!
Oskar, 22, from Wejherowo suffers from cerebral palsy
Oskar dreamed of having an Xbox. He has been waiting for his wish to come true for over 4 years! He was overjoyed
with happiness when he saw us with his present. Oskar was really grateful for our visit. We will never forget Oskar and
his beautiful smile!
Marcin, 6, from Gdańsk fights against acute leukemia lymphoblast
Marcin dreamed of having a car shaped bed. We also brought to him lots of toys and played with him for 2 hours
straight! So much fun!
Paweł, 9, from Gdańsk suffers from muscular atrophy
Pawel’s condition is very tough for him - he relies on a respirator to breathe and communicates through blinking his
eyes. Pawel’s wish were fish. Putting together the fish tank was challenging but eventually we managed to set it up for
him. The visit was lots of fun.
Klaudia, 12, from Tczew suffers from spina bifida
Klaudia wished for a camera. When she opened her presents and found it - she screamed with JOY!
Hubert, 4, from Jarczew suffers from spina bifida
Hubert wished for a tablet and educational toys. He was so happy that his dream came true!
Wiktoria, 9, from Adamów fights against sarcoma
Wiktoria wished for a bike. When we arrived and she saw her new bike she was the happiest girl in the world! We will
never forget Wiktoria’s smile!
Zuzanna, 15, from Góra Puławska fights against osteosarcoma
Zuzanna dreamed of having Nike Air Max shoes and a small TV for her room. She could not believe it when she got
everything she dreamed for. Zuzanna was very, very grateful for her gifts.
Nikola, 4, from Lublin suffers from encephalitis
Nicola dreamed of having some interactive toys and DVD movies. She was a very happy and cheerful girl. We had a lot
of fun when playing with her.
Joanna, 19, from Józefin fights against sarcoma
Joanna loves photography and when we brought her the professional camera of her dreams she couldn’t believe it. We
will never forget her beautiful smile.
Maciek, 14, from Wólka Tanewska fights against Ewing's sarcoma
Maciek’s wish was to get a laptop…
… and he got it!
Szymon, 9, from Głuchów fights against lymphoma lymphoblast
It was a very special dream – the dream of having a trampoline. It took us 3 hours to set it up but a great reward was
waiting for us. Seeing Szymon happily jumping and having so much fun was the best pay off for our hard work. And
Szymon’s parents cooked us a Polish BBQ! Yum!
Maria, 15, from Hermanowa suffers from cystic fibrosis
Maria’s biggest wish was to get a laptop and cosmetics. She was so grateful for all presents and despite her serious
condition she gave us a beautiful smile and we played cards together for a long time!
Sylwia, 17, from Godowa suffers from cystic fibrosis
Sylwia also suffers from cystic fibrosis but her condition was far worse than Maria’s. It was heartbreaking to see her
fighting for every breath. Sylwia doesn’t have much time left….and she knows it.
She wished for a laptop and books, lots of books. Hopefully these will help her to forget, just for a moment, about her
illness.
Kamila, 11, from Rzeszów suffers from kidney failure
Kamila loves music and her biggest dream was to get a guitar. We sang some songs with her for quite a while and set
tuned the guitar for Kamila. It was another lovely visit!
Dorian, 5, from Krosno suffers from hemophilia
Dorian dreamed of having an Xbox and some toys. We spent a wonderful time with Dorian playing around and
laughing all the time!
Anastazja, 5, from Lipsko fights against acute leukemia lymphoblast
Anastazja was a very shy girl. It took her a while to lose her shyness but it was certainly worth the wait! Anastazja’s
beautiful smile when she saw her dolls house and toys is something we will never forget.
The Children’s Hospice in Rzeszów
For all of us this was first time we had ever visited a Hospice. We were nervous at the beginning but the more time we
spent in the Hospice the easier the visit was. We got to hear stories about the children who were there and to hold
their hands- it was very, very emotional experience. We will never forget them, as we will never forget our Journey
for a Lifetime…
Canada Day in Poland
We were honored to be invited to celebrate Canada Day at the Canadian Embassy in Warsaw and to meet the
Canadian Ambassador and her team.
Beautiful Poland
Paying Respect
Thank you!