Ioan Ardelean, the founder of the orphanage, is a Romanian priest who used to teach religion and is a trained medical assistant and social worker. For the past few years, he has managed the distribution of European social funds to children in need in our part of Romania and had the honor to be a coordinator for an international summer school for art.
Ioan has devoted his life to helping others. His experience in these fields, along with his role as a husband and father, has taught him the importance of providing children with a sense of family and a positive and nurturing environment.
About Me
My name is Noah Lapter. I established this U.S. charity Childhood Village to support the efforts of the Satul Copilariei Orphanage in Romania. My journey with Childhood Village is deeply rooted in my personal connection to Romania and my heartfelt commitment to serving those in need. As someone with Romanian heritage, the country holds a special place in my heart, and I've found profound fulfillment in giving back to the communities that have shaped me. In the charming town of Sighetu MarmaÈ›iei, nestled in northern Romania and bordering on Ukraine, my family's ties run deep. My grandmother still lives there, and it's in this close-knit community that I've discovered the true power of compassion and community. Every summer I visit Romania, where I volunteer at the town orphanage. I tutor younger children in math and English, and play soccer with them. We’ve even built sports equipment together, including the town’s first-ever basketball hoop out of wood. During the past two years, there’s been an influx of refugees from Ukraine, and I find it rewarding to provide these children facing adversity with the tools and support they need. When I am not in Romania, I spend most of my time doing school work, playing golf, and hanging out with friends. I hope to one day scale Childhood Village to orphanages across all of Romania.
Our Mission
Childhood Village started its journey 20 years ago as a humble camp, welcoming children from all walks of life to immerse themselves in the world of creativity and fun. From those early days, we have grown to become a leading camp, helping children unlock their inner potential and express themselves in ways they never thought possible. With the help of some famous local artists, fostering the unique talent within each child, our campers have gone on to become successful artists, teachers, and art restorers. We collaborate closely with important institutions, including the Hope and Homes Romania Foundation, the Fine Arts Department at the University of North Baia Mare, the Union of Visual Artists, the Maramures Department of Culture, the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of Maramures and Satmar, and countless others. Most important to our success and longevity are the artists and other volunteers who give their time to Childhood Village thanks to their passion for making a difference in the lives of children.
Since we opened our doors in 2013, we have hosted over 1,000 campers and welcomed more than 500 artists to volunteer at the camp, creating thousands of magical works of art. We are also proud to have over 1,000 of these paintings available to be admired in the Center of Holy Brancoveni. In an effort to raise sufficient funds for a much needed expansion of Childhood Village to be able to host more children and expand the list of camp activities we can offer, we are selling some of these paintings through the shop on this website.
At Childhood Village, we provide a unique and immersive experience for kids who have faced tremendous challenges at a young age and would otherwise not have an opportunity to go to camp or be exposed to art and other creative activities. Our camp hosts a variety of talented craftsmen and artists, who love to share their passion and expertise with kids. From woodworking and stone carving, to canvas painting and glass iconography, our campers learn from the best in a safe, fun environment. Our goal is to instill an appreciation for culture and history in our campers, and to help them develop into well-rounded individuals with strong characters and valuable life lessons.
We believe that the best way to connect with nature is to immerse oneself in it. We have created a haven for kids of all ages, where they can run barefoot through dew-covered grass, be surrounded by the calming sounds of singing birds, and marvel at the stars shining above. At Childhood Village camp, we understand the importance of keeping kids close to nature and fostering a sense of curiosity about the world around them.