How ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation supported the Respiro Camp for children with special needs

The Respiro Camps organized by the FARA Foundation are five days where children with special needs and their mothers step away from the daily pace of therapy, appointments, and exhaustion, and into a space designed entirely around their wellbeing. 

This edition of tahe Respiro Camp, supported by the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation, took place simultaneously in two locations. One session in Neamț and one in Sadova brought together children with special needs and their mothers in each location, alongside a dedicated team of therapists and volunteers. 

How Community Donations from Suceava Became Five Days of Relaxation for Children with Special Needs

This camp began in December 2025, on the stage of the newly inaugurated „Ion Carp Fluerici" Auditorium, during the annual Christmas Charity Concert organized by the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation. 

That evening, alongside the celebration of a major renovation project completed by the community, the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation launched a fundraising campaign with a specific purpose: to make the Respiro Camps possible for children with special needs and their mothers. The community answered our call and members of the audience contributed through donations collected at the event. Months later, those donations became five days of therapy, and joy for two groups of families in Neamț and Sadova. 

Over the course of five days, children and young people took part in excursions and hikes, cultural and recreational visits, creative workshops, sensory and motor activities, team games, and time spent in nature. Among the sites visited were Neamț Monastery, Sihăstria Monastery, the "Dragoș Vodă" Bison Reserve, and the "Ion Creangă" Memorial House in Humulești. 

At the same time, mothers benefited from activities dedicated to wellbeing and reconnecting with themselves, with access to relaxation sessions, counseling, and time to rest, an essential aspect for families who provide daily care for children with special needs. 
 

A LEGO Activity at the Respiro Camp in Neamț and Sadova: Therapy Through Play and Creativity 

While the camp's program is built around sensory activities, play, music, and nature, the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation organized a special creative session that brought participants together in an unexpected way: building with LEGO bricks. 

The activity was made possible by Brick Depot, who provided the LEGO sets for the session. 

Building the FARA and ASSIST Humanitarian Foundations, Brick by Brick 

Divided into teams, the children and their mothers set out to build two houses, one representing the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation, and one representing the FARA Foundation. For one hour, the groups worked side by side, assembling structures that reflected their own vision of each organization. 

A Bridge Between the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation and the FARA Foundation 

At the end of the activity, the remaining LEGO pieces found their purpose. Participants used them to build a bridge connecting the two houses, symbolizing the partnership between the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation and the FARA Foundation, and everything that becomes possible when two organizations work toward the same goal. 

The Partners Who Made the Respiro Camp in Neamț and Sadova Possible 

The Respiro Camps are entirely free for participating families, and the costs of organizing the 2026 edition were covered by the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation. This was also made possible thanks to the partnerships and community support: 

• The FARA Foundation, which organizes the camps and offers children and mothers from their community a week filled with meaningful moments. 
• Novaoptic Eye Clinic and Rockna Audio, who joined as principal partners and provided the support needed for the Respiro Camps to take place. 
• Members of the community who supported this initiative through online donations or in-person contributions at the 2025 Christmas Charity Concert organized by the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation in Suceava. 

👉 Donate here: https://fundatia-assist.ro/en/donate/  

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Respiro Camp? 

The Respiro Camp is a program organized by the FARA Foundation that offers children with special needs and their mothers five days of therapy, play, and rest. Each group includes 10 children and their mothers, supported throughout by a dedicated team of specialized therapists and volunteers. 

How was the Respiro Camp funded?

Funding came from a community fundraising campaign launched at the 2025 Christmas Charity Concert organized by the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation. Members of the audience contributed through online donations and in-person gifts. Novaoptic Eye Clinic and Rockna Audio also joined as principal partners.

What was the LEGO activity at the Respiro Camp?

The ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation organized a one-hour creative session in which children and their mothers, divided into teams, built two LEGO houses, one representing the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation and one representing the FARA Foundation. At the end, participants used the remaining pieces to build a bridge connecting the two houses, symbolizing the partnership between the two organizations. The LEGO sets were provided by Brick Depot.

Who organized the Respiro Camp and who supported it? 

The camp was organized by the FARA Foundation and backed by the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation, Novaoptic Eye Clinic and Rockna Audio, and members of the community who supported this initiative through donations. 

Is the Respiro Camp free for families? 

Yes. Participation is entirely free for all families. The costs of organizing the camps are covered through partnerships and community donations.