Apr. 28 – A delegation of the Italian task force air (TFA) – part of the NATO Air Policing mission “Frontiera Baltica 2015” – visited the yesterday orphanage of Siauliai, Lithuania, which gives medical and psychological assistance to more 60 children aged 0 to 6. The visit included various moments dedicated to the children: from musical entertainment to the preparation of dough. The highlight was the donation of a special outfit for a child affected by cerebral palsy and congenital hip dysplasia. Thanks to the voluntary contribution of all the Italian staff, enough money was collected to buy a special apparatus to allow the child to walk properly. Colonel Marco Bertoli, commander of the Italian TFA, highlighted in his speech the importance of these activities for the benefit of the local community. “For us, it was important to give a tangible sign of our presence in Lithuania, with the purchase of major medical equipment that can make life a little easier for a child in need, but also to give all children a glimpse of our culture and traditions. So we organized a small concert and prepared one of our best and most popular foods.” The director of the orphanage Audrone Kardasienè thanked the Italian TFA for “keeping our skies safe and bringing a smile to our children’s faces. I also want to thank the Italians who, in their spare time, gave the most valuable gift to a child: attention and serenity. This has certainly reinforced a feeling of respect and appreciation for each other.” During the visit clothes, shoes and toys were also delivered. All the material was donated by the consortium of social cooperatives Metropolis in Molfetta (Bari), the Military Association of Palo del Colle (Bari), and Aiccos Molfetta and Italeri in Calderara di Reno (Bologna).
