By Livia Roșca, GWMD coordinator at Alternative Sociale
18 October 2025, Iași (Romania) — Although the cold weather didn’t allow the activity to take place outdoors, as in previous years, one of the halls inside the Iași Penitentiary quickly filled with light, laughter and emotion. The space was small, yet large enough to hold the hearts of everyone present.
The children arrived first. They waited quietly, looking around curiously, trying to imagine what it would be like to see their parents again. When the door opened and the parents walked in, smiles appeared instantly. In that small space, every embrace felt more intense, every moment more precious.
“It doesn’t matter that we’re not outside. What matters is that we’re together”, shared one imprisoned father.
The rhythm of play
The activities were adapted to the limited space, but the energy remained the same as in every other edition. Parents and children divided into teams and took part in games focused on cooperation, coordination and communication. They played adapted versions of bolas, frisbee and ball transport, using shorter routes but the same enthusiasm.
“At first, they seemed reserved, maybe because the room was smaller. But after a few minutes, everyone was laughing, and the hall suddenly felt twice as big.” — Alternative Sociale staff member
Each challenge was met with joy and team spirit. Parents and children encouraged each other, made room for one another, clapped and celebrated small victories. A father smiled at his son and said: “See? We can win even without running too much.”
The end of the day
When the activities ended, silence slowly settled over the room. Parents and children stayed together for a few more moments, still talking about the games, still smiling. The small space no longer seemed like a limitation, but a symbol of closeness — when you’re near the one you love, you don’t need anything more.
“It might not have been outdoors, but it still felt like freedom in our own way.” — participating parent
(© Alternative Sociale)
The Game with Mum and Dad event in Iași reminded us of a simple lesson: the place itself doesn’t matter as much as the people who fill it with meaning.
This GWMD event was organised by COPE member Alternative Sociale, an ngo working to protect the rights of children with imprisoned parents in Romania. GWMD is a project organised across Europe by Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) and made possible with the support of the European Commission and UEFA Foundation for Children. It follows a model created and developed by Bambinisenzasbarre, which works nationwide in Italy. The Project aims to strengthen, maintain and enhance the bond between children and their imprisoned parents, and to generate systemic, child rights–based change across prison systems.
