My name is Inga. I am originally from Latvia, but I have been living in Ireland for almost 26 years, raising my three children. My two older daughters are already adults, studying and gradually building their own lives. My youngest son, Henri, is a special boy with autism. He was diagnosed at the age of four, after a two-year wait for an assessment, and he needs my attention, support, and care more than ever.

Here in Ireland, we have no grandparents or other relatives nearby who could help us. Henri's father has been living in America for the past year and a half, since we had to end our relationship because of his harsh and aggressive behaviour towards my older daughters. He supports us financially, but all the everyday responsibilities - caring for Henri, raising him, taking him to activities and specialist appointments, and organising our lives - fall entirely on me.

I am incredibly proud of my son. Henri is an exceptionally curious and talented boy. He especially loves mathematics - numbers, patterns, and solving problems. He has remarkable abilities, and I am constantly amazed by the way his mind works. However, autism creates significant challenges for him when it comes to communication and social interaction. He struggles to connect with children his age, make friends, and feel part of a group. He doesn't have friends because he finds social communication so difficult. He expresses himself very directly, which other children sometimes misunderstand or take personally.

And perhaps, as a mother, this is one of the most painful things for me. I can see how much he wants to be part of the world around him, but he simply doesn't know how to find his way in.

I try to give my son as many opportunities as possible to learn and grow - sports, swimming, new experiences, social interaction, and various activities. I also take part in projects supporting families of children with autism because I know firsthand how important that support is. But behind all this activity, there is another side to our lives.

I am always on my own. Most of my life is devoted to helping Henri develop, feel safe, and be happy. I am not complaining about my life. I love my children, I love what I do, and I believe in Henri. But sometimes I wish I could simply stop, take a breath, and just be a mother who doesn't have to solve another problem every single minute.

That is why our dream of visiting Cyprus means so much more than simply having a holiday by the sea. I dream of seeing Henri happy on a warm beach, playing in the sand, swimming in the sea, and exploring new places. I want him to experience new things, feel the joy of freedom, and discover once again that the world is big, fascinating, and open to him.

Henri and I have overcome so much together. And I truly hope that one day we will have the chance to feel that someone is looking after us, too.

Thank you to the "Rainbow in Cyprus" foundation for giving families not just holidays, but hope, new experiences, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Sometimes, a true miracle is simply having the chance to be happy together.

With warm regards,

Mum Inga

*The donation fee for the family of 2 includes:

Airline tickets to Cyprus

Transfer Larnaca - Paphos 

Programme for 10 days

Petrol expenses

Meals

Excursions

Entertainment