Inter Campus Romania: A varied trip

RAMNICU VALCEA - We stayed in the country for 10 days, visiting all the different camps linked to Inter Campus Romania. We started off in the most remote spot of Dobruja, located among the vast plains of the Danube Delta before off to the Capital and then heading west towards Slatina. We set off North last, finishing off with a visit to Ramnicu Valcea, situated at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains.

During our trip, we worked with over 200 kids taking part in the programme, as well as working more on our educational and technical skills with 10 local coaches. We also met with some of our association partners (Parada Foundation in Bucharest, Comunità Nuova Onlus in Slatina and Inima Pentru Inima in Dobruja and Valcea), who all operate in education and also work on social inclusion and integration among minorities.

Our Inter Campus mission started on Mothers’ Day. We’ve known a lot of the children since they were six, while they are now 13. Some of them have been without their mothers for years and they may perhaps only see them when they finish school. ‘White orphans’ have been left behind by either one or both parents, who’re forced to emigrate to other parts of Europe in search of a better future for their family.

It is their mothers who they miss most, who are often employed as full-time carers for other family members. Without relatives to look after them, this means that they are often looked after by communities, almost as if they are orphans. This, therefore, makes the world of Inter Campus and their partners even more precious.

The visit to Ramnicu Valcea concluded with a tournament that involved over 100 kids, allowing them to enjoy moments of pure joy.