Chapter 1: Left Behind and Forgotten

Sylvia’s journey to Aprico Island was not driven by a deep-seated passion for aiding the world’s most disadvantaged communities. Unlike many dedicated aid workers, she found herself in this remote part of the world out of necessity rather than a calling.

The tragic loss of her husband in a car accident left Sylvia widowed at a young age and in need of employment after a decade of being a housewife without a professional background. When she came across the job advertisement for a volunteer position, it seemed like a practical choice. However, she had envisioned working in a European country or at least a place with more familiar surroundings and a higher concentration of white people. It wasn’t racism in the traditional sense but rather a discomfort rooted in her upbringing in the suburban Australian setting.

Sylvia was undeniably kind and compassionate, traits that defined her character. Yet, her lack of the same fervent commitment as other volunteers meant she initially struggled with the idea of being in a remote, economically challenged environment like Aprico Island. Despite her reservations, she had to accept her circumstances and adapt to her new reality, facing challenges and experiences she had not anticipated when she first embarked on this unexpected journey.

Sylvia found herself assigned to a small town on Aprico Island where she joined a group of seven volunteers: five men and two women, most in their 40s and 50s. Upon her arrival, there was some surprise among the older volunteers at seeing a young woman like Sylvia join them. They speculated it might have been a paperwork error, assuming that younger volunteers were typically sent to safer, less remote areas, while experienced older workers were dispatched to more challenging environments.

This assumption mirrored Sylvia’s own expectations. Originally informed that she would be assigned to Eastern European countries, she had anticipated a different environment altogether. Despite these initial misgivings, Sylvia felt safe with her new colleagues. They moved as a group, and despite their surprise, they welcomed her warmly and were kind to her as a newcomer.

In this small town on Aprico Island, Sylvia began to settle into her role, navigating both the challenges of her new environment and the dynamics within her team of volunteers.

Sylvia found herself grappling with mixed feelings towards the locals in the small town on Aprico Island. Initially, she was taken aback by what she perceived as their lack of hygiene—many appeared unwashed and emitted strong odors. Despite her discomfort, Sylvia’s innate kindness led her to interact with them amiably, even as she silently chastised herself for any hint of snobbishness.

However, what troubled Sylvia most were their stares and lewd comments. Some locals openly remarked about her appearance, making intrusive comments about the size of her breasts and her ample buttocks. They would say things like, “Mama, your breasts are so big! Are they natural?” or “White lady, your buttocks are so round. “ Others would comment, “Do you wear special bras for those breasts?” or “You must eat well to have such curves.”

These remarks left Sylvia feeling exposed and uncomfortable, despite attempts by other volunteers to reassure her. They explained that such comments were simply a cultural difference—where openness about physical attributes was more accepted compared to Western norms. One volunteer even joked that at least the locals were honest in their observations, unlike some men back in Australia who might think the same but never verbalize it.

While Sylvia tried to heed their advice to ignore the comments and move on, the persistent attention and remarks continued to unsettle her, challenging her efforts to integrate into the local community with empathy and understanding.

Unbeknownst to Sylvia, Aprico Island was on the brink of political turmoil. It had a particularly hostile stance towards Westerners due to its brutal history of colonization, which surpassed that of many other places. The government, capitalizing on this sentiment, began to condone attacks not only on African nationals but also on white Westerners. Disturbingly, rumors circulated that the police would not intervene to protect these victims.

Then, without warning, the government issued a decree: all foreigners had to leave the island within four days. They announced the imminent closure of the airport and docks, effectively trapping outsiders on the island.

The leader of Sylvia’s volunteer organization assured them that negotiations were underway for a charter flight to evacuate them safely. With their bags packed and ready to go, Sylvia, who had only spent three weeks on the island, felt a mix of relief and anxiety about the impending departure. She was grateful for the assurance of safety but saddened by the abrupt end to her brief, challenging, and eye-opening experience in Aprico Island.

Sylvia returned to her cabin as instructed, waiting anxiously for news. When the following day brought no updates, her nerves grew even more frayed. On the second day, unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, she defied orders and hurried to the volunteer office. As she walked, she felt the weight of people’s stares, their silent questions lingering in the air—did she not leave yet? Or was it just her imagination?