Vero Reinert
My aim is to help build a lasting positive environment for the most warm-hearted children I have ever met. In summer 2019 I volunteered in the suburb of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. By pure hazard I changed my medical program to a social program in this very orphanage, because I couldn’t stand the feeling of being of little help in the hospital due to my young age and my inexperience. This change was the best decision I have ever taken! I gained loads of positive experiences. I met the purest souls, the most loving hearts and the brightest smiles in this home. From day to day I became more and more aware of the miserable conditions in which my sisters and brothers lived and it broke my heart. As soon as I came home I told four of my friends and my sister about my adventure and the five of them were right away enthusiastic about building a better home for the children. The harmony between our will to act enabled the foundation of Sharing a Smile.
Between school, running, thaiboxing and music, my passion for travelling and helping others drove me to Nepal, where the simple act of smiling, talking about cultures, doing homework together, walking to school and dancing is enough to brighten someones’ day. I’ve learned that you don't need much to be happy if you don't have much, and I fell in love with that idea. Nevertheless, the children in this orphanage do not have access to the fundamental human rights yet, such as nutrition. And we are going to change this together!
vero@sharingasmile.lu
Alex Reinert
Growing up in an environment where I have the chance to receive an education, have a full plate at each meal, travel and discover the world outside my comfort zone and witness the vicious cycle of poverty through my own eyes, a responsibility incarnated in me; I need to help as much as I possibly can, to enable safe and brighter futures to children, women, and men, born with the same smile but different opportunities than me.
After completing my business degrees in different capitals around Europe, I packed my bags and immersed myself in the rich and loving Nepali culture. It is almost impossible to explain the feelings, lessons and laughters the little sunshines from the Children Home have gifted me with. It is incredible that the less children have, the purer their happiness is.
Yet, education, sufficient food supply, hygiene and security is far from being normality for these innocent kids, which are dreaming of better conditions.
With a passion for entrepreneurship, and a heart that I left with the shining stars in Kathmandu, I will work hard everyday to paint a smile on their faces, and I hope you will be sharing a smile as well.
alexandra@sharingasmile.lu
Brice Da Costa
Hello, my name is Brice, and I'm the event manager for Sharing a Smile!
I'm a first-year university student in Amsterdam. I am also a scout leader, and I enjoy challenging projects that take me out of my comfort zone.
Because I was born in Luxembourg, a developed country, I never had to worry about anything. I've always had access to health care, education, and nutritious food. I consider myself very fortunate to have all of these advantages and to be able to attend university.
However, I believe that everyone in a more privileged position should do their best to help those in need, which is why I feel obligated to help our children in Nepal. I believe that the most important aspect of our work is assisting children in receiving the best education possible, as this is the most effective way to help them in the long run. That is why I am incredibly proud that seven of our children are able to attend university.
This project can be a lot of work at times, but I never get tired of it because I always keep the children in mind and the smiles we are able to share with them.
I believe that the best feeling in the world is to make other people happy!
brice@sharingasmile.lu
Antoine Kioes
I am genuinely excited and humbled to be a part of Sharing a Smile, an organization whose collective effort deeply resonates with my life’s values and aspirations. My passion and true motivation to make a positive, long-lasting difference in the world, especially in the lives of underprivileged children, perfectly align with the mission statement of Sharing a Smile.
From a young age, I have been intrigued by the complexity of key human rights and have always been driven by a desire to contribute positively to them. Eye-opening, horrifying statistics highlight the stark realities of inequality and hardship present in today’s world. Witnessing the struggles of children in underprivileged communities, their resilience in the face of adversity, and their unyielding hope have profoundly impacted me.
As a member of this vibrant team, I intend to support in whatever way possible to allow them to improve. Leveraging my technical background, I aim to assist the team in its technical development and support daily operations.
The smiles we share, the challenges we overcome, and the milestones we achieve together will be the true measure of our success. I look forward to being a part of this journey, working to ensure that our collective efforts translate into lasting changes.
alexandra@sharingasmile.lu
Melvin Wagner
I am passionate about medicine and more precisely about neurosurgery since I was a child. I have been practising artistic gymnastics, kitesurfing and playing the piano for the past ten years.
Moreover, I like to discover new horizons. I adore travelling. Indeed, travelling symbolizes for me the great adventure, the one that leaves traces in the soul. Nevertheless, during my many excursions to the four corners of the globe, I have been confronted with disastrous living conditions. Watching children in Madagascar foraging for food in the rubbish and seeing them struggle for survival has moved me deeply and has provoked in me an overwhelming call for mutual help. I feel a strong conviction that poverty is man-made and can therefore only be eliminated by common human actions. Every day our planet produces enough goods to meet our basic needs. If everyone only got what they needed and shared what they had in excess, there would be no poverty in the world and no one would die of starvation.
melvin@sharingasmile.lu
Lucia Vanetti
Growing up in a protected environment, shielded from the ravages of war or financial hardships, with easy access to education, it's easy to overlook the harsh realities of our world. The circumstances of where and when one is born are purely a matter of chance, beyond our control. Unfortunately, not every child is granted the same opportunities in life. Those of us who are privileged, with access to education and resources, bear a responsibility to advocate for those less fortunate.
My objective is to inspire fellow kids and young adults, emphasizing that taking a stand and extending assistance is not a daunting task. It's crucial for everyone to recognize that, from our privileged vantage point, there is immense potential to make a positive impact. The resilience and joy displayed by underprivileged children, despite challenging circumstances, serve as a constant source of motivation. It highlights that with minimal resources, we've already achieved significant progress.
I envision our Asbl as a vital bridge connecting these two disparate worlds. Our mission extends beyond merely enhancing the lives of the less fortunate; it's about awakening people to the pervasive issue of global poverty. Through our efforts, we aim to inform and engage individuals, fostering a collective understanding of the challenges faced by those born into less fortunate circumstances.
lucia@sharingasmile.lu
Johanna Beyenburg
Like many other children in Luxembourg, I grew up in a very sheltered and protected
environment where I had access to free quality education and social security. In addition, my
environment and upbringing allowed me to pursue my personal interests and create my own ideas of what my independent, self-determined future should look like. I am aware of the fact that this is not the case for many children and young people worldwide, especially young girls. I am particularly concerned about the education of the children in the home, as I believe it is the first step towards a financially secure and independent future where the children can pursue their dreams and career ideas. I would like to play a part in ensuring that these children have access to education, sufficient nutrition and hygiene, and a minimum
level of privacy.
After completing my studies in psychology, it would be a dream of mine to support children
not only in fulfilling their human rights but also to educate them in the area of mental health
to fight against the stigmatization that still pervades this topic.
johanna@sharingasmile.lu
And finally all the members together
