Casa Harului is the name of the camp in the Carpathian Mountains that Vision Romania supports. The name, translated, means ‘House of Grace’ and it has been providing a source of respite and hope to children and young adults for over 20 years.
The camp was started by a couple named Beni and Maria Medrea. They had moved to London and were living a good life in the UK until the day that they had a vision to go back to their country and build a camp to help people. Their vision became a reality and the camp is a very special place for many children and adults alike. It is that vision that we share hence the name of the charity. It is a testament to the camp that the Romanian leaders who now run the different camps talk of their experiences there as children and how they helped them stay on the right path in life. There are many stories of how the camp, Beni and Maria, have transformed the lives of young people.
Sadly, Beni, passed away in May 2016 and Maria is now responsible for the camp herself. Vision Romania is fully committed to supporting her and helping her in any way possible to ensure that Beni’s vision continues to grow and change the lives of future generations to come.
May Camp:
During May every year, Vision Romania sends a team to Casa Harului to help run a camp for young people with disabilities. The week long camp offers respite to young people living with disabilities such as downs syndrome, autism, learning difficulties and physical disabilities. The camp invites the carer’s of the disabled individuals and offers them support, counselling and respite.
The Scottish Team works in conjunction with a team of Romanian leaders throughout the week at camp. Vision Romania pays for the camp costs for this week for all participants and also provides materials for crafts plus equipment for games and sensory activities.
July Camp:
During July every year, Vision Romania sends a team to help run a camp for disadvantaged children aged from 7-12. The week offers the children lots of fun in the form of games, crafts, and lots of singing. They also enjoy bible lessons, sketches, singing competitions, walks in the countryside, as well as three meals a day, showers and a comfy bed all to themselves.
The Scottish team work in conjunction with a Romanian team of leaders from the Sunshine in the Villages group to run the camp. Many of the Romanian leaders have been to the camp themselves as children and come from the same background as the kids in camp. They have valued their experience at camp so much that they take the opportunity to return and provide a great week for the kids.
Vision Romania covers the cost of camp for all of the children and provides materials for crafts and equipment for games. We also try to recruit a dental team to take out with us to provide dental care and education to the children during the week.
