It takes a village…

Restaurant in Surat Thani, Thailand

As International Director of Caminul Felix, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand what happens when vulnerable children are given something many have never known: a loving family. My role takes me from the villages in Romania where this vision began, to our work in Thailand, and also to our burgeoning village in Ukraine. While cultures and contexts differ, one truth remains constant—the life-changing power of family.

Caminul Felix is built on a simple idea: children who are orphaned, abandoned, or at risk need more than provision. They need belonging. They need committed, supported parents who will love them consistently. In every country we serve, I’ve seen how this model transcends culture. When children are placed in nurturing families, they begin to flourish.

During a recent visit to our village near Surat Thani, Thailand, I was reminded of this in a powerful way. One of our young men came to Caminul Felix from very difficult circumstances. His early life was marked by instability, and his future was uncertain. But everything changed when he was welcomed into a loving Caminul Felix home.

Over time, he grew up surrounded by care, encouragement, and stability. His house parents helped him discover his strengths, and along the way, he developed a passion for cooking. That passion became a dream—to become a chef.

Today, after finishing high school, he is pursuing that dream. The photo above shows a remarkable bamboo restaurant in Surat Thani where he is gaining hands-on experience on the job. During my visit, I had the opportunity to eat there with our team, and this young man prepared the entire meal himself. It was more than just good food—it was a glimpse into a life transformed.

Without a loving family, his story could have been very different. Instead, Caminul Felix gave him a foundation on which to build his life. A young man who once faced a limited future now has opportunity, purpose, and hope.

This is the heart of Caminul Felix. Whether in Romania, Thailand, or soon Ukraine, our mission remains the same: to see children grow up in loving families that change the trajectory of their lives.