Orphanages, Schools & Hospitals to be Helped

We are once again working with One Life for Bulgaria (www.onelifebulgaria.org) and Lora’s Foundation (http://lorafoundation.co.za/) who will facilitate the convoy once in-country. Both these organisations have the same passion, drive and determination as CWUHA to alleviate the suffering of children.

After a very successful convoy to Bulgaria last year the trustees have decided to return to Bulgaria to continue our work in this country. Working with our in-country partners we have identified more hospitals, schools, mother & baby centres, family homes and orphanages that are in desperate need of our help. Through our efforts and that of our partners we were able to raise the profile via Bulgarian national TV and radio the plight of the ‘Forgotten Children of Bulgaria’ TV crews followed convoy drivers to the centres they were delivering aid to. This meant many Bulgarians were seeing for the first-time on TV the harrowing images of life in Bulgarian orphanages/institutions. This resulted in pressure being applied on the government to close these hell-holes. Our in-country partners also saw an increase in fund raising. Though this is very positive it will take many years for these institutions to be closed down and with all governments, pressure needs to be continually applied.  Below is a brief report on the centres we are helping in September 2009.

Home for children from 0-6 years, Hizarlike, Kjustendil

This orphanage looks after the needs of over 100 abandoned children all with different problems. They receive very little funding and recently had to cut costs, resulting in the laying off of staff.  During the night there is only one lady on duty.   Apart from taking care of the kids, she does the washing during the night using an old washing machine that is a health hazard. The next night she has to do all the ironing.  Before going off duty in the morning the beds need to be changed.  Almost 50% of the kids wet their beds at night.

During the day there is one nurse, one caretaker on duty. They receive little pay and they are so frustrated, speaking only about the work, not the kids. When questioned about the kids, they admit that they are unable to spend quality time with the children.   They would love to have the children in 3 dormitories. 

They do have an extra room to use as a third dormitory, but do not have enough personnel on duty during the night.

The director outlined the need for clothing and basic foodstuff, (not flour), which would help keep the children fed and safe throughout the winter. Our partners (Lora’s Foundation) were introduced to an ex-pupil who upon reaching 18 had to leave the orphanage. He began collecting items for recycling and he managed to raise enough money to buy himself a horse so that he can collect much more recyclable material and support himself. He is now re-integrated back into the Romany community.

Vidin & Montana Hospitals

Vidin Hospital is situated in one of the poorest regions in Bulgaria and has the highest unemployment in the country. The hospital is in a very bad state of repair. The children’s ward is one of the oldest in Bulgaria and lacks the most basic medical equipment including beds. The ward has just 35 beds and about 150 children stay in the hospital each month. This is the only hospital in the region that looks after the needs of children. The population of Vidin is nearly 150,000.

Montana hospital was built in 1930 and is in desperate need of renovation, the children’s ward requires modernising, medical equipment and supplies. There are 30 beds in the children’s ward and over 1,500 children stay in the hospital every year. This is the only hospital that cares for children in the district of Montana which has a population of nearly 200,000.

The personal at both hospitals are immensely demotivated and disheartened. With your help we aim to change that.

Vidin Centre

•         Over 40 children live in the main orphanage building

•         A day centre for therapy and  rehabilitation

•         Two protected houses or micro-homes where eleven boys and two girls are learning to live independently (with the help and support of supervisors) and are trying to fully integrate into the society 

This was the first protected house/micro-home/for a child born with mental and physical disabilities in Bulgaria, functioning since May 2001.

 The house is in desperate need of repair, the biggest problem is the toilets and the bathrooms, which have not been redecorated since 1980.

The bathrooms are for 40 children - boys and girls with mental disorders, 6 – 18 years old, who use the facilities on a daily basis.

The long term plans are to build a new micro-home for 6 to 8 children.

Kjustendil School

The school is situated in a Romany “Gypsy” village. The villagers are all Romany; they are descended from wandering tribes dating back many centuries. The Romany people are considered second class citizens in Bulgaria and are tagged with the title of “Gypsies” The school is the only way that the village children can get even a basic education. They are taught by locals who received this basic teaching and then went on to higher education provided by the Bulgarian state. All the meager school supplies are sourced locally.