Respiro Camps: A Breath of Relief for Children with Special Needs and Their Mothers

The ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation supports the FARA Foundation program.

The life of a child with special needs involves many things: therapy, effort, and daily challenges, but also joy, curiosity, and a unique sensitivity to the world. For their mothers, however, each day often feels like a continuous race, without breaks, personal time, or moments to pause. It is a life lived with constant care, vigilance, and the responsibility of being present every second.

For these families, the Respiro Camps organized by the FARA Foundation represent a rare opportunity, sometimes the only one, to stop, breathe, and reconnect with themselves and with others. 

Why are Respiro Camps so important?

Because behind every family, there is a story. 
A child with autism, Down syndrome, or other disabilities has their own way of communicating, expressing emotions, and exploring the world. Some children are energetic and persistent about their favorite games, while others are quiet, attentive to detail, and sensitive to textures, sounds, or smells. Each child is unique.

If we look at them only through the lens of our expectations, we might assume they do not understand us. But when we offer time, patience, and genuine attention, we begin to see something else: surprising abilities, authentic curiosity, untapped intelligence, creativity, and a different, yet deeply beautiful, way of experiencing the world.

Volunteers who participate in these camps, many of whom are students at the beginning of their academic journey, often undergo a profound transformation. They arrive with emotions and sometimes with preconceived notions, but they leave understanding that these children are not “difficult”; they are simply different and extraordinary in their own way. 

How do the camps take place?

Respiro Camps are held over a period of five days, either in a mountain location or by the seaside. Each group includes ten children with special needs and their mothers, supported daily by a dedicated team of five specialized therapists and five volunteers. Together, they create a safe, warm, and carefully adapted environment for every participant.

For the children, the camp becomes a world of exploration and therapy through play and music. They participate in sensory activities, naturally and enjoyably develop fine and gross motor skills, and connect with nature through touch, scent, and color. They model sand, collect pebbles, play in the grass, draw, sing, form friendships, and experience adventures that build confidence, such as ziplining or visiting adventure parks.

A well-deserved break for mothers

Mothers of children with special needs are, without exaggeration, their children’s first therapists. Every day, often without words, they convey the same message: I am here for you. I see you. I feel you. I support you, just as you are.

But this devotion comes at a high cost: deep exhaustion, stress, isolation, and a chronic lack of personal time.

In the Respiro Camps, for the first time in a long while, these mothers experience a few days in which they can truly breathe. They take part in counseling sessions, group discussions, and activities designed specifically for relaxation. They reconnect with other mothers who fully understand their reality and receive the emotional support they need so deeply. Even small moments, such as sharing a meal without the burden of preparation, become meaningful pauses in life.

The organizers describe the essence of these camps with a simple yet powerful concept: “Therapy through unconditional love.” 

The involvement of the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation 

The ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation initiated this effort to support vulnerable families, and Rockna Audio and Novaoptic Eye Clinic generously joined as primary partners, providing the necessary support to enable more Respiro Camps to be organized.

For us, this project represents more than a philanthropic gesture. It is a moral responsibility and an investment in the community's well-being. We have seen how just a few days of respite can transform a mother’s state of mind, bring genuine joy to a child, and help restore essential emotional bonds within a family. 

How can you help?

Participation in the camps is completely free for families; however, the costs associated with organizing them are substantial. Every contribution, no matter the amount, can make the difference between a family overwhelmed by exhaustion and one that receives a moment of light.

You can offer an exhausted mother a few days of peace. 
You can give a child with special needs a few days of therapy, play, and joy. 
You can be part of this change.

👉 Donate here: https://fundatia-assist.ro/ro/doneaza/