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I need a hug! (The tape
is for a bandage.) |
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Last week, we got back from one of our busiest shoe
teams ever. Because we had only one shoe team scheduled for this fall,
we had to work very hard in order to give shoes to all the homes that we
normally assist in this way. Thankfully, though, The Heights Baptist
Church sent us an excellent group of people who were willing to go
through the early mornings, hard work, and lots of driving that were
needed to get the job done.
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Heights team members and local
BCI volunteers fitting shoes. |
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For better or for worse, the system of orphanages,
helping schools, and children's homes in Bulgaria is going through a
period of drastic change, with many homes being closed to bring the
number of institutionalized children in line with EU requirements. This
includes many of the homes that we regularly visit—this includes (but is
not limited to) Georgi Damyanovo II (the home for older children, not
the preschool home) and the nearby home in Gabriel Genovo, which were
closed last spring. For us, this meant that we had fewer homes to visit,
but that they were more spread out, which meant planning challenges and
a lot more driving. When combined with the fact that we only had one
shoe team this season instead of our usual two, you can see why it was
quite a challenge.
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Before fitting, we measure the
feet to save time. You can see the obvious need for new
shoes and socks. |
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On Monday we started out with our friends at
Berkovitsa IV, where we would be sure to have an easy environment to
learn the ropes. Afterwards, we went to Berkovitsa II (a boarding school
for children with chronic breathing problems) where the cooks prepared
us a lunch (we gave them the money that we would have otherwise spent on
a restaurant, which allowed them to cook a wonderful meal for both us
and the children). We then finished up the day with the Helping School,
Berkovitsa I.
The next day was our day for preschool and baby
homes—in Georgi Damyanovo, Montana, and Pleven. The home in Montana had
several very young children who couldn't even walk yet, so we left them
soft baby shoes and socks.
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Team member Phil Slate and BCI
translator Vesko Filipov fit a child a Georgi Damyanovo.
You may remember this boy from the 2006 BCI calendar. |
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On Wednesday we went to two homes, Vidrare—a home for
mentally disabled children—and Roman. At Vidrare, we were treated to a
program of traditional Bulgarian songs and dances by some of the
less-handicapped children, following which we made the long drive back
to Sofia for the night.
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A child in Pleven(?) smiling
about new shoes, but more importantly, love and attention. |
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Thursday and Friday saw us heading south, on Thursday
visiting Stob (the home in Rila was another one that was closed) and the
home for school-aged children in Blagoevgrad, then spending an overnight
in Dupnitsa before heading to the preschool home at Dren and the home
for mentally disabled children at Gorna Koznitsa.
Our shoe total for the week was just under 900 pairs
distributed. Many thanks to the team for all their hard work and
flexibility despite hard schedules, unforeseen circumstances, and
stomach viruses. The kids appreciate it, as do we. |
