Bulgarian Child, Inc.
Love and
Loaves to Those in Need
7522 Campbell Rd. - St. 113 - 172 - Dallas, TX
June 2003 Trip
Vidrare
First impressions indicate that Vidrare could
well be the best run home that we've ever visited. The
Director is bright and caring - taking time to see us even
though the Greek Ambassador was visiting later in the day.
The home is utilizing many resources that
other homes have but simply do not. Initiative is
apparent at every turn in this home - thanks mostly to the
director Evgeni Dimitrov shown here with a small group of
kids..
The entire home had obviously been prepared for the visit of
the Ambassador but it was also obvious that this home is never
in the sad shape that others get. It was cleaner than
most and the grime that lives in the cracks of many homes
simply wasn't apparent here.
These children are dressed up
in their native costumes to be a part of a greeting ceremony
later in the day.
The most surprising thing to us was the use of a large
greenhouse for growing vegetables...
as well as a small barn with some pigs and a
couple of cows.
A playground had some nice equipment (and
was fairly well maintained.)
As with many of these homes there was a
"therapy" room that seemed not to have much use although there
was at least some wear on some of the equipment. It is
becoming apparent to us that this equipment simply isn't
understood by the staff of these homes because we're aware of
several wonderfully equipped rooms that simply never get any
use at all.
The bedrooms were bright and cheery because of the good beds
and matching (fairly new) sheets, but there were no pictures
or other stimuli at all for these kids.
There is a part of the population of this
home that is mentally challenged and doesn't get out of their
rooms but the rooms themselves are clean and well-lit.
Needs
As is normal for these homes there is a tremendous need here
for shoes and socks as well as clothing of every variety.
The Director also requested fertilizer for the growing of
vegetables in the greenhouse and a heating system for the
greenhouse to enable them to use it for longer in the year.
There is also a need to expand the water system to enable
more watering of the vegetables and a new boiler to reduce the
heating costs. These expenses now account for a very
large percentage of the budget for the school (estimated at
60-70%).
