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As I walked into the room I was engulfed with emotion. Their tear strained eyes looked my way as their outstretched arms wavered towards me craving love and affection. My eyes mirrored theirs as I heard their cries for "mamma" and faced the realization that this tiny word with great responsibility; right now, in this moment, was directed my way. I arrived in the city of Chisinau, a country known as Moldova, to volunteer in an orphanage in Eastern Europe. I arrived with hope, a big heart, and an inner drive to make a difference; but I quickly found myself clambering through the dark, soul-absorbing quicksand, as I faced the reality of a world unknown to me. Walking through the city I felt overwhelmed by the chatters of another language as I was confronted with the awareness that I did not understand what was being communicated around me. The impractical nature of being in this situation heightened my senses and raised my observation and interpretation skills. However this was not enough to fully decipher the sharp-toned voice coming from the tram speakerphone and the mass exit, as I leapt onto the tram. Nor was it enough to translate the performers on stage who rhythmically encapsulated the universal language of emotion; yet were unable to communicate the why and the who through the essence of their actions. I also found myself in situations when body language and my immediate surroundings weren't enough to comprehend any of the clues. Like when the local man in my apartment building shouted over his shoulder to me as he exited the doors between us; or when the staff in the orphanage talked among themselves or directly to me, with no context or clarity to comprehend or even to take a guess at the words that were being said. Isolated by unreciprocated language I found myself resorting to mime, in attempts to be understood. Often forgetting that words could actually pass my lips, I entered into the game of charades with an overemphasis of body language gestures; before attempting to utter words of language that had once been so natural and familiar to me. Whilst the outside world felt lonely and harsh, my mind constantly worked on overdrive to fill in the gaps. Yet, within the confined four walls of the orphanage, where the unspoken words portrayed the most meaning, I felt a sense of belonging. Eyes filled with curiosity, tears showcased sadness, smiles radiated warmth and touch languished love. A gentle hug, a cheeky tug on my scarf, or a plea for "up" - to be lifted up, to take a look outside, through the alluring glassed window. I'd hear larger-than-life laughs at the bubbles I'd blow, as the children would chase, pop and play. I'd see looks of confusion at my re-enactment of animal sounds as I pointed to my drawings of a dog, a cat, a cow and a pig. I'd feel the daily welcome I'd receive from a beautiful soul who would take my hand and place my palm to his lips to kiss me; a ritual I can only surmise as representing gratitude, for being there with him and his extended family, in that present moment. Using words to express my experience of Moldova feels indelicate to the intricate details of a culturally diverse country faced with social issues. Yet taking a leap into the unknown, whilst at times, left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed and out of my depth; I was also provided with a richness that I'd not felt before. From experiencing life in another way, to relying on senses that had often been relegated to second or third place. To providing warmth and love through interactions and attention that were warmly reciprocated as the vibrations of emotions echoed in unison around me. During my experience, I found the adult world particularly confusing and isolating as there was such a reliance on the spoken word to communicate. However, through leaping into the unknown, I experienced rawness and purity. I learnt about myself and those around me, I built character and compassion and gained an awareness and a deeper understanding of a life very different to my own.