MISKO (16, BUDAPEST)

Misko came to us with a very big request.

He wanted to meet Sir David Attenborough, who has been his role model since he was 5 years old. The boy follows the scientist's programs day and night, speaks excellent English, so understanding the foreign language is not a problem for him, and Sir David's fantastic speaking style also brings him joy.

We knew that this request was almost impossible to fulfill due to the scientist's age, but we still tried. We tried to reach Sir David for many months, and several top executives in the domestic media also helped with their contacts - without success.

Still we didn't give up the search, and on an early spring day, while browsing the internet, I found a phone number related to one of his previous reports. Just maybe...
I called the number, and fortunately, we were able to get in touch with the person closest to him, his daughter. Jane was very helpful, and she even provided us with the contact information of their official representative, who confirmed that due to his old age, Sir David unfortunately no longer accepts such requests. We understood this, of course, and I told Misko about it, but I also asked him to wait a little bit, because although we couldn't fulfill his wish, we would like to surprise him with something else.

Sir David's representative advised us to take Misko to London and show him the BBC Earth Exhibition, where Sir David is the narrator.

We liked the idea and planned to show Misko other museums as well, as he already has a vast knowledge, and I believed that it would surely bring him joy.

On the way from the airport, we made an unscheduled stop at the scientist's house in Richmond, and of course, we took some photos. There, I gave him a photo of Sir David with a personalized dedication, and then we took a walk in the nearby Richmond Park, where the Attenborough family often used to hike.

/ 12



Words cannot express how much joy the trip brought to Misko. His mother and I often had to run from one room to another, as the wheelchair became more of a racing car at such times... Misko's scientific knowledge is incredibly vast, and I learned a lot from him. It was a great feeling to move around the world of science with such a guide for a few days.

Misko herds a virtual fish pod at the BBC Earth Exhibition


What was the best thanks for fulfilling his wish? Apart from what Misko wrote in his English "thank you" letter, the kind words he said to me when we said goodbye... but let that be our secret.

I hope and wish that he will have many more similar trips, and that he will stay in touch with us and the Magic Lamp team for a long time.


We would like to express our gratitude to our supporters, Wizz Air Hungary Ltd., IBIS Styles Budapest Airport hotel, IBIS London Earl's Court, Mosolyka MOST Fundation, members of XpatLoop, the students and teachers of the Thomas Mann Gymnasium-Deutsche Schule Budapest, as well as our private donors, for making it possible for us to fulfill Misko's very special request.





Patzauer Éva
kívánság-koordinátor
London, 2023. április 25.

I asked Misko to write a few lines in English to our supporters:
From: a***a @ l*****.pl
Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2023 6:28 AM
To: Patzauer Éva <patzauer.eva@csodalampa.hu>

The opportunity to travel to England and explore the remarkable sights and museums in London became a reality for me, all thanks to the generous support of the Magic Lamp foundation. As someone who has wanted to visit London for years, the chance to witness the exceptional exhibits at the London Natural History Museum was particularly thrilling, given my passion for biology and paleontology.
Besides this another very good thing happened that was amazing. They managed to get an original David Attenborough signature. I am immensely grateful to the Magic Lamp foundation for facilitating this incredible and unforgettable experience. Their generosity made it possible for me to spend a few very good days in London, and for that, I express my heartfelt appreciation.

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