Meeting my new nieces for the very first time!

Bernadine Bornman Groenewald Start Date: Aug 4, 2023 - End Date: Dec 3, 2023
  • Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

My Travel Story

by: Bernadine Bornman Groenewald Start Date: Aug 4, 2023 - End Date: Dec 3, 2023
Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well. I'm reaching out to you with a heartfelt request that means the world to me. Life has its twists and turns, and it's led me to a point where I'm seeking your support to make a crucial journey.

I'm Bernadine, a wife and a mother of two wonderful kids. My sister, who lives in China, is about to have her second child this December and I am desperate to be there and finally meet my two gorgeous new nieces! I am self-employed, a student, and living in Namibia (not Botswana - not an option?) the exchange rates and cost of living are hitting as hard here as they are globally. The situation is tough – we're barely making ends meet, and affording even one flight ticket is stretching our limits. But this isn't just about a trip; it's about being there for my sister during a time when family means everything.

We've been apart for years, and the distance has been hard on both of us. We've missed out on so much – the everyday moments, the big milestones, and now, the impending birth of her second child while we haven't had the chance to meet the first. She's asked if in any way possible for the family to be with her, to lend a hand and share the joy of a new life entering the world.

Leaving my husband and kids behind is a sacrifice, (December is both my kid's birthday too, and my daughter will be turning 11 while I'm away) but I can't ignore the call to be there for my sister. And although we would love to have everyone, including the nieces, nephews, and grandparents join in for the chance of a lifetime, we can only do what we have within our means as a family. Having the opportunity to be there for my sister is something I feel privileged and honored to share. The bond we share is unbreakable, and I believe that being by her side at this time is something I can't miss. I'm humbly asking for your support to help fund my travel to China. Though we are all saving up, my sister more than everyone, being able to assist with the flight cost (especially with a new baby arriving) will take a massive weight off all of our shoulders! Every little bit will count towards reuniting our family and making this experience possible.

I understand that times are tough for many, and any assistance you can provide is deeply appreciated. This is a chance of a lifetime for me and I would be a fool not to seize every possible opportunity to make it come true. Your contribution will not just be towards a flight ticket; it'll be a contribution to the love and togetherness that family represents. A chance for a desperate aunt to hold her nieces and spend a flicker of time with a sister she very much misses.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story. If you're able to help, I can't express how much it would mean to me and to my sister. And if you're unable to contribute, your good wishes and sharing this campaign with others would also mean the world.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me, for believing in the power of family, and for making a dream come true.


Warmly,

Bernadine
  • Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

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