24 May 2025
Jenga, ball games, paper creations, the friendship rainbow, and the ever-present face painting.
On Saturday, May 24th, 30 children with neuromotor disorders, rheumatological diseases, or cerebral palsy from the Medical Recovery Clinical Hospital in Băile 1 Mai enjoyed relaxing games and activities prepared by Yuppi Camp volunteers, aimed at making their days spent in the hospital easier.
Children can be hospitalized for up to 21 days, depending on the severity of their illness. Play remains a rare activity in the hospital, which makes these joyful visits all the more important.
„Participating in this program was, for me, a challenging and emotional experience, which brought me closer to the children in a different way. I left the hospital with a full heart and the thought that, sometimes, the most profound lessons come from the youngest among us. The children showed us what it means to live courageously in any circumstance. Play gives children the space to be themselves, regardless of the context," detailed Mara Oniga, the project coordinator.
„One of Yuppi Camp's desires and motivations is to carry out such activities not only in our summer camps, but also in environments where play is so rare, and the days are long and hard. Integrating such a therapeutic program within a pediatric recovery hospital responds to a real need, validated by both specialized literature and practical experience from advanced rehabilitation centers. The impact of these activities is significant for the children, as well as for the parents and caregivers. We have conducted such programs in this hospital before and we hope to return soon," emphasized Enikő Ionescu, executive director of Yuppi Camp.
The 15 activities were carefully prepared by Yuppi Camp volunteers, consisting of colleagues from H.Essers România - Yuppi Camp's strategic partner in Bihor - who benefited from specialized training in Oradea to interact empathetically and effectively, ensuring that every moment spent together is valuable and meaningful.
This is not the first time Yuppi Camp volunteers have brought smiles to the faces of the children at the Medical Recovery Clinical Hospital in Băile 1 Mai, and it certainly won't be the last.
Thank you to the volunteers for their dedication and enthusiasm!
Thank you to the staff at the Medical Recovery Clinical Hospital in Băile 1 Mai for the warm welcome!
