Olivia: “La vie en fraternité” (Life in brotherhood)

Olivia lives in Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa. She is 18 years old and sent me a remarkable and moving letter in French.

In English, Olivia’s letter says:

What is happiness?
Happiness is a favourable circumstance that brings success, the success of an action. We had the luck to find the sun, a tranquil life, an excellent health. Happiness is neither money nor beautiful houses, it can be life in brotherhood with the little bread we have.
Happiness is not to possess everything in the world, but to have your own love and the love of your next one. You don’t buy happiness. But you find it in the small joys of your everyday life.

Bonjour Olivia. Thank you so much for sending this extraordinary letter to me. Merci beaucoup! ❤
There is so much wisdom in your letter, and it moves me a lot. I want to thank you for reminding us all what true happiness is about. It really can be found in brotherhood, love and the small joys of our life.
I’m happy that you had the luck to find excellent health. I hope you and your family stay healthy and happy and that your life will always be filled with love and joy.
Big hug, Karina

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Nématou: “Le bonheur est l’obtention d’une chose recherchée” (Happiness is the achievement of something desired)

Nématou lives in Burkina Faso, in the city Ouagadougou. She is 15 years old.

Nématou sent me an amazing letter in French together with beautiful flowers she drew.

She writes:

What is happiness?
Happiness is the achievement of something desired.
It’s also to live freely and in harmony with those around us, to live in a peaceful environment, to know how to forgive the mistakes of others and to forgive each other.
To see the people who love us always by our side.
You can also be happy when you achieve something good.

Chère Nématou, dear Nématou, thanks a lot for your letter! Merci beaucoup! ❤
It really moved me with how much love you write, and I like your description of happiness so much. I also think that happiness has a lot to do with a life full of freedom, harmony, peace and having our loved ones by our side. You are also right that life is much happier when we can forgive each other when we make mistakes. I hope that you will always have this beautiful view of happiness and life, and that you achieve the good things you desire. Big hug, Karina.

Adissa: “Tu apportes ton aide à ton prochain qui était dans le besoin” (You bring your help to your next one who was in need)

Adissa is 15 years old. She lives in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, in West Africa.

Adissa sent me a wonderful letter in French. It is also very colorful, with beautiful drawings around what she wrote.

In English, Adissa’s letter says:

What is a beautiful day?
A beautiful day is a day on which you accomplished something good. A beautiful day is a day on which you had beautiful surprises that you didn’t expect, for example:
– a good mark for your homework
– a delicious dish
– a beautiful present.
A beautiful day, that’s a day on which you bring your help to your next one who was in need.

Merci beaucoup, thank you very much for your beautiful letter, Adissa.
I felt so much joy when I read your letter. I also love these days when you accomplish something good or have a wonderful surprise that you didn’t expect. I hope that you often have beautiful surprises like good marks, delicious food or a nice present. And thank you for mentioning that a beautiful day is also when you bring your help to someone who needs it. This is so true and lovely, Adissa. Lots of love, Karina.

Rolande: “Le bonheur c’est la santé, la paix, l’amour et la joie de vivre” (Happiness that’s health, peace, love and joy of life)

Rolande lives in Burkina Faso, in Ouagadougou, the capital city.
She sent me a beautiful letter in French about what happiness is for her, and she also drew colorful flowers.

Rolande writes:

What is happiness?
For me, happiness is made of health, peace, love and joy of life. To respect and love each other so that we can live in happiness every day God gives us.

Merci beaucoup, Rolande, thank you so much for your wonderful letter. I love the clarity and wisdom of your words. You describe the ingredients of happiness so easily and pure. It’s a great joy to read your letter. I hope that you will always have health, peace, love and joy in your life! Big hug, Karina.

Olivia: “Le bonheur est quand nous aimons et quand nous sommes aimés en retour” (Happiness is when we love and when we are loved back)

Olivia is 13 years old. She lives in Burkina Faso, in West Africa. Olivia lives in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou.
She sent me a wonderful and wise letter in French about what happiness is, and she also drew beautiful flowers and hearts.

In English, Olivia’s letter says:

What happiness is
Happiness is when there is joy in the world or in the family.
I had a gift that’s happiness.
My father paid for a bike for me that’s happiness.
Happiness helps us not to be in sadness anymore.
When I receive good marks at school that’s happiness.
Happiness is when we love and when we are loved back.
Happiness is when I see my mother and my father smile.
Happiness is when there is health and peace.

– Dear Olivia, thank you so much for your letter. Merci beaucoup! ❤ I love the way you write. There is something poetic and magical about it. And I like the things that make you happy: joy in the world, your bike, good marks at school, to love and to be loved back, your parents’ smile, and health and peace. That’s wonderful. I wish you so much happiness in your life, Olivia. Much love, Karina.

And I also want to thank Ute Krüger from the organization “Freunde für AMPO e.V.” who forwarded Olivia’s letter to me. Thank you!