Dear friends at "Rainbow in Cyprus",
My name is Natalia. I am raising and caring for my two young children on my own every day—my son Yasin (3 years old) and my daughter Aurora (2 years old).
On January 14, 2026, we returned to Latvia from Norway. We made this decision after my husband was hospitalized due to serious mental health issues. At the same time, our son was unable to receive the treatment and developmental support he needed in Norway. Looking back, I am certain that returning home was the right decision.
In Latvia, we finally feel safe and at peace. However, a large part of our daily life revolves around Yasin's health and development. He has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and our days are filled with trips to and from therapy sessions. Yasin attends ABA therapy, speech therapy, sessions with a special education teacher, and an early intervention program.
Thanks to the Green Lamp project and the BeOpen Foundation, we are able to afford these essential therapies, and we are sincerely grateful for their support.
Despite all the challenges, we do our best to enjoy life. We visit playgrounds and have discovered a new family hobby—hiking. To our delight, Yasin enjoys these walks very much, and being in nature brings him genuine happiness. We have created our own little world, filled with love and care for one another.
The past few months have been incredibly demanding. All my energy goes into caring for my children, taking them to therapy, handling paperwork, and managing everyday responsibilities. A visit to "Rainbow in Cyprus" would be an incredible opportunity for our family to slow down for the first time in a long while, rest, and simply enjoy being together without constant pressure and rushing.
I would love for my children to spend a week in Cyprus—by the sea, under the warm sun, surrounded by a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere. We all love the sea so much. I truly believe that such a holiday would help us regain our strength, restore our energy, and return to everyday life with renewed hope.
For our family, this trip would mean much more than just a vacation. It would be a chance to feel like an ordinary family for a little while—to forget, even briefly, about diagnoses, therapy appointments, paperwork, and the constant rush. Simply to be together, enjoying the sea, the sunshine, and the laughter of children.
With kind regards,
Natalia Afane
*The donation fee for the family of 3 includes:
