A place to grow and learn: Octavian's break at Summer Camp
A young boy living in poverty has a chance to unwind and enjoy being a kid at Summer Camp.28th May 2025
9-year old Octavian knows what it feels like to carry the weight of his family’s burdens. Living in poverty in Lapusna, Moldova, Octavian’s mother is sick with cirrhosis, unable to work, and his father needs to stay home with her, meaning he can no longer travel for his job. The family’s only stable income is from the state allowance they receive for Octavian’s two-year old brother.
“At home, I sweep the yard, cook when needed, wash the dishes, take the horse to pasture, feed the chickens and rabbits, and take care of my little brothers when my mother has to go to the doctor or get medicine.”
One day, Octavian was invited to one of our Summer Camps.
His mother was as excited as her little boy was. She said, “Please take my child to the camp. We would never be able to afford to take him on holiday.”
Food and support matters for children in poverty
At camp, Octavian has a lot of things to look forward to each day:
“Every morning, the group leader wakes us up and waits for us to go to breakfast together. I like it when we go up the hill to the chapel, where games are organised, and there are staged skits and stories. We also read and learn about the miracles that Jesus did. Here at the camp, I can rest, play, eat delicious food, read, and learn.”
One of MWB’s workers, Valentin, said, “Octavian was amazed at being able to eat such tasty food three times a day. All the children were so happy about the food and thankful for it. Once, they said it was like being at a restaurant when they had salami, French fries, and salad. I'm happy to see them well-fed because I have been at their homes and I have seen what they usually get to eat, which isn’t much."
“At Summer Camp, the children are surrounded by attention and protection. They are always taken care of. They have lots of conversations at the meal table and at Bible lessons, and the leaders give them opportunities to ask questions, because they have so many.”
Giving children a chance to grow at Summer Camp
Every child deserves to experience this kind of environment, yet for many young children living in poverty like Octavian, the burdens of daily life make it hard to grow and learn freely.
“At night, when I go to bed, I wonder if my mother is coping OK with all the chores, and I also miss my little brothers,” said Octavian. “But at least I have a break from watching out for the goslings. I'm going to go home on Monday, and I can already hear my parents call me, ‘Octavian, go and feed the chickens, clean the yard, do this and that!’”
It is because of this reality that we want to give as many children as possible a special week away at Summer Camp. Just one week gives them the gift of fun, friendships, and food, showing them God’s real and tangible love.
Together we can lift children’s burdens and give them the freedom to be a kid – Donate today!
