This summer, the You Are Not Alone – Mini camp brought together children from socially unprivileged families for an unforgettable week in the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains. For many of them, it was the very first time they had ever seen the mountains — the mist-covered peaks, the endless forests, and the pure mountain air became a magical backdrop to a week that was about so much more than just activities.

While we had prepared games, workshops, and creative projects, it quickly became clear that the children needed something far deeper — genuine communication, friendship, and the feeling of being heard. Many of them live in situations where material goods are scarce, but what they miss even more is consistent emotional support and connection. Around the campfire, during morning hikes, or over shared meals, they opened up to each other and to the leaders, forming bonds that felt like family.

The feedback from the children was heartwarming and humbling.

“I didn’t know people could listen like this,” one camper said quietly after an evening talk.

Another shared, “I thought I would come here to play games, but I found friends instead.”

The You Are Not Alone – Mini camp was a reminder that sometimes the greatest gift we can give is not a material present, but our time, attention, and a safe place to belong. The Carpathians gave them beauty to remember — but it was the people who gave them the memories that will last.