A wish I had since I was a little girl became reality this year, at age 62. This was thanks to Fr Joe Cassar S.J. who organised and led, with the help of Br Anthony Mifsud SJ, a group of 12 aged between 19 and 31 and myself in our adventure helping the missions in Ethiopia. It was a beautiful, but not an easy experience.

Our main work was to be of service to the residents at the Mother Theresa Home for the Dying in Addis Ababa. Sometimes, we also worked with children and babies.

When we were shown the place on our first day, I asked myself "Where have I come?" The smell bothered me, there were all types of diseases including malaria, leprosy, AIDS, TB and cancer and many open wounds.

We used to start our day with Mass followed by breakfast and a 20 to 25 minute walk to where we had to work with patients.

On arrival, we used to greet the 1,200 patients. Our work was with the men. We used to do our utmost with the sick who, once we had seen to them, looked at us with pleading eyes and thanked us, smiled and showed us they were happy even though their only possession was illness.

When one sees the love between them and how they try to help each other, one has no option but to stop and think.

They waited for us daily and remembered our names, and we became their family for that period.

After treating our patients, we would talk to them.

After giving them food, we would return home, eat and rest and then walk back to work. On Sundays we used to sing to them and they waited happily for us.

Although tired, I would feel real love and happiness which are not felt in everyday life.

Sometimes, we worked with babies or the children being cared for by Monica Tonna-Barthet, a 72-year-old Maltese woman who sold all her belongings to buy land and set up a home for sick street boys in Addis Ababa.

Before dinner, we used to pray and share our experiences, another beautiful moment of a group of different ages. We became a family.

Well done to the young people who, with courage, love and sincerity, take up such work.