For a long time, whenever Monica Cafarelli (better known as Parisier, by her married name) was traveling to the United States, the organization’s advertisements caught her attention make a wish. It especially recalls that of a girl dressed in a tutu and pointe shoes, surrounded by dancers from the permanent cast of the New York City Ballet. Intrigued, she investigated the subject and discovered that it was a foundation dedicated to fulfilling dreams for sick children. And in search of her own life mission, she decided that she wanted to replicate the idea in Argentina. “I started building the board and recruiting volunteers, but then I thought I should be part of the international organization,” she says. After some exchanges, she traveled to the United States, and in June 2002 she joined Argentina to the list of countries that are part of this organization. 20 years later, they have more than 7,000 dreams come true. “We work with all the public and private hospitals, because the socioeconomic level of the child does not matter, they all have dreams”, she relates.
News: Is there a dream that has particularly moved you?
Monica Parisier: That of a boy who asked for a mill. He was 9 years old and from Tandil, but he was hospitalized in Garrahan, where they had given him a bone marrow transplant. He had read “Don Quixote de la Mancha” four times and dreamed of being able to see a windmill from his hospital window. We found a miller in Azul who put it together in 15 days. When we showed it to him I saw him cry with happiness.
News: They also tend to fulfill dreams involving celebrities, is there usually a good predisposition?
Parisier: In the case of internationals, most know Make A Wish, because we are in 50 countries. With the locals it is more difficult sometimes… Natalia Oreiro, Lali Espósito and Lionel Messi are divine, but others are more vuelteros, sometimes the lesser known. If I call you and contact you because there is a 7-year-old boy with leukemia whose biggest dream is to meet you, what do you feel? In any case, we ask the boys three dreams, because it may happen that some are not possible, like a trip that the doctor does not authorize.
News: Are Argentines in solidarity?
Parisier: Yes. If they can truly understand the essence, if they come to believe that 69% of children are cured after fulfilling their dream, it’s not to be doubted.. We also have a sponsorship plan, there are people to whom we send five or six dreams to sponsor each month. And many times they say “I can’t choose which one”, so they all sponsor.
News: And after so many years, what makes you see these realities of sick children? Costs?
Parisier: Working with difficult realities strengthened me a lot. Today I am very happy, because what I see is the achievement achieved. The same thing happens to volunteers, but incredibly not to men. The times we have had it, after a short time they have said it was too strong for them. That is why the team is practically female.
News: What was left of the Mónica architect?
Parisier: The last thing I did was this house where we live, which took nine months of remodeling. In part it remained, because in all events the design occurs to me, as well as the assembly and decoration. My creative part wasn’t lost, I just put it somewhere else.
News: At what point did you decide to officially stop practicing?
Parisier: In my second pregnancy, in which I had twins. I had no time for anything. Today I am very amused that my daughter Michelle is an architect, loves the profession and is doing well. Something very challenging in this country!
News: How did you meet Guido, your husband?
Parisier: There was a group that had bought the place where the Hippopotamus nightclub was going to be, and they hired me as an architect. I contacted the architect who had designed the brand in Rio, I traveled to the United States to buy the lighting, I hired a craftsman who made the bronze sculptures. I was already working on it when Guido appeared buying the investment group. They told him that there was already an architect who had quite a few advanced topics, and he said “I would prefer an architect”. But they told him that he would waste his time, because he already had a lot done, and so we met at the place. It was funny, because it was a rainy day and Guido was with an umbrella with which he was pointing out how he wanted some things. And I thought “I can’t stand this guy pointing his umbrella at me.” Several months of professional relationship passed, and at six he asked me out. We form a beautiful family, in which our third male grandson has just been born. We have been here for 38 years.
News: And how are you doing today?
Parisier: Better than ever, because we are at a height in the relationship in which many things have already been worked on and overcome, and one even needs more of the other’s company.
News: And what is your best program when you are not working?
Parisier: I love staying at home. I listen to music, I do yoga, I meditate. Yes, I like to see friends, to go to the theater, to the opera, but if I have to stay at home, it’s a pleasure.
News: What did you discover about yourself as a grandmother?
Parisier: I have adoration for my eldest grandson, Aston, who is two and a half years old. I love being with him, I have a lot of patience with him. With my children I was strict, but to give them resources and to be disciplined and honest in life. With grandchildren that remains for the parents. It is the same love I have for my children.
News: What dreams?
Parisier: For the Foundation, I dream that someone will continue it the day I can no longer. For my life, I would like to continue enjoying myself as I do. Stay active and strengthen the bond with my grandchildren. he
