“For I know the plans for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
A while ago, in Caminul Felix we have started opening doors to people that want to volunteer on the long term and not only project based. Caminul Felix’s friends have many talents, many of which our children can use on a day to day basis! Silvia Vasiu is one of these friends and she is a english school teacher that wanted to get involved and help our children with her talents and knowledge. This is her story!
Have you considered a ‘Volunteercation’? A ‘volunteercation’ is combining volunteer service with a vacation! Volunteering during free time, has always been part of my life. I grew up in the heart of Transylvania, a small town called Cisnadie, 5km away from the mountains where I would spend all my summers working with orphan and homeless children. Now I’m a school teacher in Bucharest, I have a busy life, and ever since I became a teacher, 7years ago, I realized how important education for a young child is, and how much it can take a tow on someone’s life. Most orphans live a rough life, even though things have changed for the better in the last 35 years since the Revolution, they still struggle to finish school, most of them never finish high-school, and around 1% or less go to college. In Romania today, thousands of children remain in state orphanages, hospitals, reintegrated into dangerous situations with distant relatives, or go through foster care. They lack medical care, education, and emotional support. The conditions have improved by implementing modern foster care systems, but the progress has been slow, and the future for many of these vulnerable children remains uncertain.
Volunteering with Caminul Felix was truly an answer to prayers. The opportunity came around Easter, just when I was put in touch by Sami Filip, with the home parents, Aura and Ionut Hosu. From that moment, everything fell into place, and we began planning for the VBS. By August, when I finally met the children, everything was ready. The house was full of life with 16 children between the ages of 1 to 17 year olds, each one bringing their own energy and joy to the home. It was a blessing to be part of such a loving environment, contributing to something meaningful and seeing the impact on these children’s lives firsthand.
Every morning, we began with a wake-up workout to get everyone up and running for the day. After that, we had breakfast, followed by English lessons, where the children had the chance to learn new words. The mornings were also filled with different games that kept the kids active.
In the afternoons, after nap time, it was time for crafts, their favorite part of the day. We had many activities like making slime, playing water games, and painting t-shirts. One evening we even had a bonfire, where we made smores together. The joy and laughter around the fire made it all worth it, it was a perfect way to end a day full of fun. Overall, everyone had a great time, creating lasting memories and learning along the way.
On the last day of my time at Caminul Felix, Aura and the teenagers took me to a nearby village where they have their own ministry, dedicated to serving others and mentoring those less fortunate. I was moved by how committed and involved the children were, despite the challenges they had faced in their own lives. It was inspiring to see how these young people, who had experienced a difficult childhood, were now so eager to give back and make a difference in the lives of others.
As some of them shared their life stories with me, it was a clear example of how being raised in a nurturing home had changed their lives. Their stories were powerful examples of hope, showing how love and support can turn lives around. It was a privilege to see the impact of this home, not only on the children who live there now but also on those who have grown up and are now helping others in return.
My short trip to Oradea filled me with energy and hope for the least of these. It was an honor to be part of the lives of those at Caminul Felix, even for a brief time, and to learn from them. One of the highlights was learning how to make plum jam, without sugar! Getting to know the children and teenagers, hearing their stories, and sharing in their daily lives, was an experience I will cherish.
As we look ahead, I’m excited about the upcoming online English classes that we plan to start in mid-September. With lots of work, I hope that one day we’ll have fluent English speakers in Casa 6(Lisa Potts House), opening up more opportunities for these children.