A recovery centre for children who have survived cancer is taking shape in the commune of Mitrofani, Valcea County, at the initiative of an NGO seeking to give these kids back a piece of their childhood.

The driving force behind the project is Simona Preoteasa, a young woman from Mitrofani who spent many years volunteering with children affected by cancer and now wants to offer them free summer camps where they can rediscover joy and confidence - with access to nature, adapted accommodation, play areas, a pool, and medical and therapy rooms.

Foto credit: Ramona Dinca / AGERPRES

''The Village Camp' is a project of the 'Oameni ca Lumea' Association, through which we are building a community centre and summer camps for children who have beaten cancer and for children from rural Romania. I volunteered for many years in camps for children with cancer and for children from rural areas, because I grew up in a village myself and I know their dreams and desires. Here, children will take part in a wide range of age-appropriate activities designed by specialists so that, alongside play, they develop social and relational skills. They will play all day, but they will also learn to be sociable, friendly and generous, because we will have people here who wholeheartedly offer their time for these kids' childhood,' Simona Preoteasa told AGERPRES.

The idea began to take shape about a year ago, when she bought a plot of land in the scenic hamlet of Racu and, with determination and help from like-minded people, started looking for ways to turn the vision into reality. For nearly three weeks she has even been living in a tent on the site to draw attention to the harsh reality faced by children with cancer and to encourage public involvement.

Photo credit: Asociația Oameni Ca Lumea / Facebook

'There are many children with cancer in Romania and, unfortunately, the infrastructure dedicated to them is very limited. Yet their chances of a normal childhood are high. Medicine has advanced a lot and survival rates have increased, and doctors and studies recognise that having a context of joy and support helps enormously. It's a kind of therapy - they heal their souls and minds by creating happy memories and burying the trauma of treatment. I chose to stay here in a tent because I have this 6,200-square-metre plot and I said I can stay here 30 days with no access to any amenity, to show that this is how children with cancer live in hospitals during treatment - with no access to anything,' the founder of the 'Oameni ca Lumea' Association said.

Foto credit: Ramona Dinca / AGERPRES

The project needs around €650,000, of which about 10% has been raised, but there is hope construction can begin this autumn.

Preoteasa added: 'It's more than a dream. In just one year since launching the project, we've had wonderful people by our side. Everything done so far has been through volunteers and companies offering their services pro bono. In the past 25 days, people from the community have come with donations, and some companies have redirected part of their profit tax. Slowly, people understand the story, believe in the children and in our project, and we hope to pour the foundation soon. I am not alone in this endeavor, I have a team of volunteers I work with.'

Foto credit: Ramona Dinca / AGERPRES

She is convinced that Valcea and the rest of the country have many people 'with the heart in the right place', as she calls those who get involved in such projects. Last year she brought dozens of laptops and school supplies to local children, and since pitching her tent she has been constantly supported by the community, which provides lighting and firewood for weekend campfires where she reads stories with village children.

'Every day, kind-hearted people have come to visit. Children come to play daily. This space is a great joy for them - a place to gather, play and be seen. It's not easy for me, because I don't like the dark, but I do this out of passion and that makes the hard moments easier. I think of the children who spend months or years in hospital rooms they cannot leave, and of their parents trying to stay strong - and then I forget the hardship,' she explains.

Encouraged by the community, Simona says she will continue promoting the initiative even after her 30 days in the tent end. Children will still be welcome to play on the land, and anyone wishing to support the project can donate; each donor's name will be written on a ceramic heart placed in the foundation of the camp as a symbol of collective effort.

'It's the Time Capsule - with the hearts bearing the names of those who donated for the camp. We will place it in the foundation so that, in the future, it will show that in 2026 some people chose to build this place together and spread love and joy to all the children who will come here.'

Simona Preoteasa also appealed for support: individuals can donate by sending an SMS with the text 'lumea' to 8845, and companies can redirect up to 20% of their profit tax until June 26. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Ramona Dinca; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)