200 Students from Zamostea Took Part in the Fourth Edition of the "Health in Motion" Educational Caravan
How do you teach health education to children who rarely get the chance to hear directly from specialists? On May 8, 2026, the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation brought the fourth edition of the "Health in Motion" Educational Caravan to Zamostea, where 200 students from grade 0 through grade VIII spent the day learning, practicing, and discovering something new about their own health and wellbeing.
From toothbrushes to CPR techniques, traffic rules to sports games, the day was packed with hands-on sessions led by dedicated professionals.
How Many Children Have Vision Problems They Cannot Recognize?
The Novaoptic Ophthalmological Clinic conducted individual vision screenings for students in grades 0, I, and II directly in the classroom. Gabriela Bodnari, Daniela Coțovanu and Bianca Munteanu, examined 48 children and identified vision problems that many of the students themselves had no way of recognizing or articulating. By the end of the session, 12 children were referred for further consultations at the Novaoptic clinic, where they will receive a free ophthalmological exam and personalized recommendations.
The team also explained how undetected vision problems affect school performance and discussed the impact of prolonged screen use, offering practical daily habits such as regular breaks, proper lighting during homework, and time spent outdoors.
"Our collaboration with the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation is a tradition and we participated with great joy in these screenings because, beyond the pleasure of working with children, there is also the professional satisfaction that our expertise is in the service of the community. We detected vision problems that children do not know how to tell us about, and these will be explored further during the free consultations," said Gabriela Bodnari.
Do Oral Health Habits Formed in Childhood Really Matter?
Tiniuc Dental Clinic, partner since the first edition, was back in 2026 with Dr. Iulian Tiniuc. He led interactive sessions on oral hygiene and the prevention of dental conditions, adapted to the age and understanding of each group of students. The children learned correct brushing techniques, how to choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste, and simple steps for maintaining good oral hygiene in everyday life.
Dr. Tiniuc also addressed the connection between oral care habits and overall health, explaining how bacteria in the mouth can affect the rest of the body. He encouraged the children to have regular check-ups, as they are an essential prevention tool, and the habits formed in childhood leave a lasting mark on general wellbeing.
"We carried out an oral health education activity through which the children learned correct brushing techniques, how to properly choose dental hygiene products, and how to maintain their oral health," said Dr. Iulian Tiniuc.
Is Food Really One of the Most Underestimated Tools for Children's Health?
The Suceava County Public Health Directorate (DSP Suceava) joined this edition with a presentation titled "Food - a Source of Health," delivered by Dr. Anca Stroescu. The session covered what nutrients are found in the foods children eat every day, how the body functions when it receives what it needs, and what happens when the diet is unbalanced. Dr. Stroescu explained the role of vitamins and minerals in healthy development and highlighted the difference between processed and natural foods, giving students a practical framework for understanding why everyday food choices matter so much.
"Together with the children we talked about food as nourishment, but especially as medicine. The information shared will take shape above all when it is put into practice, and the step from having information to applying it needs to be supported by those around them, by parents, teachers, and even classmates," said Dr. Anca Stroescu.
What Happens in the First Minutes of a Medical Emergency?
One of the most impactful sessions of the day was led by plt. adj. Daniel Boțoc, assistant coordinator at SMURD within the Suceava County Inspectorate for Emergency Situations "Bucovina" (ISU "Bucovina"), who captured the full attention of every student in the room. The course covered the essential steps anyone can take in an emergency before specialized teams arrive. The students learned how to assess an accident scene, how to contact emergency services, and how to provide first aid in critical situations such as unconsciousness, choking, fractures, burns, and open wounds.
The theoretical component was followed by hands-on practice using dedicated training equipment, and the session concluded with a cardiopulmonary resuscitation exercise on a mannequin. The exercise gave the children a direct and practical understanding of what intervention looks like in the most critical moment of a medical emergency.
"We are glad to be part of this partnership because through these activities we try to offer simple but important information about providing first aid, because the first minutes can make the difference between life and death. The collaboration between institutions and the community brings an additional layer of safety and responsibility," said plt. adj. Daniel Boțoc.
Where Does Road Safety Education Really Begin?
The Suceava County Police Inspectorate (IPJ Suceava) joined the caravan with a police vehicle on site and a session dedicated to responsible behavior in traffic and everyday life. The course "Road Safety Education. Education for Life!" addressed traffic rules from the perspective of all road participants, including pedestrians, cyclists, and future drivers. Students discussed common risk situations such as jaywalking, using a phone or headphones while walking, and cycling without protective gear, and officers offered concrete safety measures and practical guidance for moving safely in public spaces.
"The partnership between the County Police Inspectorate and the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation brings attention to the ongoing concern for children's safety and a simple conviction that education does not end at the school door but continues on the street, at home, and on holiday. Together with colleagues from the Bălcăuți and Grănicești police stations, we explored and learned essential traffic rules on public roads both as pedestrians and as cyclists and future drivers," said Chief Commissioner Ileana Iacob of the Suceava County Police Inspectorate.
Does Every Child Really Need Regular Physical Activity?
Coach, physical education teacher, and multiple national champion in race walking, Andrei Gafița from LPS Suceava brought energy and genuine enthusiasm to Zamostea. Students rotated through interactive team games designed to stimulate competitive spirit, cooperation, and sustained physical effort, with activities chosen to be accessible to everyone regardless of fitness level.
Andrei Gafița spoke with the students about the benefits of regular movement on mood, concentration, and sleep, and about how sedentary habits affect long-term health, sending them off with big smiles and a little more motivation than they had at the start of the day.
"I am glad I was able to participate in the 'Health in Motion' Educational Caravan. We cannot talk about health in motion without sport and games, and the children really appreciated the activities," said Andrei Gafița.
A Hygiene Kit, a Healthy Snack, and a Day Worth Remembering
At the end of the day, each participant received a package prepared by ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation volunteers, containing essential hygiene items and healthy snacks, a concrete invitation to apply everything they had learned throughout the day.
"The 'Health in Motion' Educational Caravan is a project close to our hearts and we try to bring it every year to schools in rural areas. We speak to children and we support a healthy lifestyle. Together with our partners, we try to instill these health-maintaining habits from an early age," said Daniela Istrati, project coordinator at the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation.
The "Health in Motion" Educational Caravan does not stop here. Now in its fourth edition and having reached hundreds of children across Suceava County, the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation continues to grow this project with the conviction that the right information, delivered at the right moment, can change the quality of life of an entire community.
Want to support the caravan's next stop? Follow the work of the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation and help us build more informed, healthier, and stronger communities together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Health in Motion" Educational Caravan organized by the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation?
The "Health in Motion" Educational Caravan is a project launched in 2024 by the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation with the mission of bringing health education directly to children in rural communities across Suceava County, where access to structured, expert-led learning is often limited. Each edition brings together specialists in health, nutrition, public safety, and emergency response for a full day of interactive, hands-on sessions.
Who took part in the fourth edition of the "Health in Motion" Caravan in Zamostea?
On May 8, 2026, 200 students from grade 0 through grade VIII at Zamostea school spent the day with specialists from Tiniuc Dental Clinic, the Novaoptic Ophthalmological Clinic, the Suceava County Public Health Directorate, ISU "Bucovina" Suceava, the Suceava County Police Inspectorate, and coach Andrei Gafița from LPS Suceava.
Why does the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation focus on rural communities in Suceava County?
Children in rural areas often have limited access to specialists and structured health education, and the "Health in Motion" Caravan was built around the conviction that geography should never be a barrier to quality learning and that every child deserves access to information that can genuinely improve their quality of life.
Why is health education important for children at an early age?
Specialists present at the caravan consistently emphasized that habits formed in childhood have a lasting impact on overall health and wellbeing, and that early education around nutrition, hygiene, physical activity, and emergency response gives children the tools they need to make better choices throughout their lives.
How can I support the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation and the "Health in Motion" Caravan?
You can support the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation by making a donation or by redirecting 3.5% of your income tax or 20% of your company's profit tax at no extra cost to you, helping ensure that more children in rural Suceava County have access to the health education they deserve.