The children - who we're doing it for!

Children with the AIDS virus are surviving quite well where they are receiving loving care and adequate medical attention. Until the final stages of the illness they are lively but tire easily, though they continue to enjoy similar activities to healthy children. Experience has shown that a break away from their normal surroundings can improve their health and general well being immensely.

Many children who have stayed at Casa Valentin come from institutions such as children's hospices, orphanages and the small family-style units that are being set up by Child Protection departments.

There are many other children who have been diagnosed as HIV positive who continue to live with their families. It is difficult for parents of sick children to cope with this situation and the whole family can benefit from the kind of short break we offer them.

Casa Valentin is able to accommodate up to sixteen children, for a week at a time throughout most of the year. Children who come are cared for in a comfortable, warm home and enjoy good food and an interesting programme of activities (including visits to places of interest and the local countryside). It is staffed by local Romanian Christians.