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"Rodopski pansion" is one of the biggest
social establishments of that kind in Bulgaria, providing home and care
for more than 140 young people at the ages of 5 to 15. They attend different high
schools in the town.
Many of the residents of the social home spend their summer holidays with family, relatives or hosting families. However, around 30% of the residents don't have this chance and have to spend in the orphanage their entire summer break. The volunteers in the project will interact exactly with these 30 to 45 guys. The volunteers will be engaged with organizing variety of activities like: sports events, gardening, group games, thematic workshops, walks in the city of Plovdiv, visits to different sights and events, etc. for the children and the youngsters. Some maintenance and domestic works will be done together with the residents. Because of the lack of funds and the difficult economic situation of these social establishments in Bulgaria, the volunteers are invited to contribute with their creativity, enthusiasm and ideas. They have to know that this is not a touristic or leisure program in which they just have to join in with the orphans. The experience proves that even without expensive events, this can be an unforgettable and really rewarding time for the both sides - the volunteers and the youngsters.
Accommodation is provided for the participants at the orphanage boarding house. Sleeping bags are not needed. Volunteers have their food prepared by the cooking staff. The nearest international airport to Plovdiv is Sofia Airport (SOF).
The social project in Plovdiv consists of four consecutive workcamps, each with a duration of two weeks. The workcamps will take place in the following dates:
This is a Canadian
charity project of four workcamps in support of a teenage orphanage in
Bulgaria. Volunteers from 18 to 35 from all over the
world are welcome to join these camps. Few conditions, related to the
country of residence of the applicants, apply, because of visa
procedures, medical requirements, etc.
"Overall I think the
workcamp is very good. The main emphasis was on being with the children
rather than doing maintenance at the orphanage. "It has been hard work, but very enjoyable working with the children and completing projects for them. I liked working with the children – teaching English, music lessons, going out on day trips. I felt that they really valued our presence here and enjoyed everything we did. Relations with them have been great. I have learnt a lot about myself and other people – how to deal with difficult situations and how enjoyable and satisfying it can be to work as a team for the sake of the children. This is a great opportunity to give something back (mostly time and attention) to children who have very little." (Rachel Halstead) "It was very fun and active, everybody got along and made an effort. I liked being with the children – seeing them happy makes me happy. The workcamp learnt me to adapt to a new environment and to care for others." (Sayha Sam) "At the beginning I was too shy with the children, but now I think it was a very good experience for me for several reasons. You feel yourself needed and you understand better the importance of parents." (Tiphaine Cochennec) "One of the best holidays I ever had! I loved being with the kids. It’s amazing how friendly they are. I spent wonderful moments with the other volunteers as well. We got on well together. A lot of fun. It’s worth doing it!" (Annie Daval) "I had a lot of fun and felt very welcome. The kids are lovely and I enjoyed meeting them and all the people here. I liked most playing and interacting with the children, taking them out and playing games at the orphanage. I had a wonderful two weeks and felt my time here was put to good use." (Hollie Nixon) "The children were very
nice and they made me learn a lot of things about relationships.
Everybody was very good and ”bon vivants”. I liked to communicate with
children without words but only with “loving”. I liked all the time
spent with them. I want to come back to Bulgaria! "A brilliant project in a beautiful, vibrant city! I would recommend it to everyone. I liked most having parties with the children in the evenings and spending time on the terrace with the other volunteers. I have absolutely loved bonding with children. Learning how to get on living with a group of strangers was important." (Natalie Haynes) "I was worried about the relations with the children and teenagers but everything went very well, it’s amazing to see that they enjoy little things and simple games without asking for more." (Hugo Trentesaux) "I spent two great weeks in Plovdiv and I had a lot of fun moments that I’ll remember forever. It was a great experience to work and play with these children. I liked very much playing with them soccer, dodgeball and actually all the games that we played in the backyard. I learnt a lot of things about the other side of life, that of the children in the orphanage. I think that I became a better person." (Aurora Spartak) "I thought it would be more difficult to spend time with the children since we don’t even speak a word in Bulgarian but that wasn’t a problem at all, we didn’t need to use the same words to communicate. I liked playing with the children and teaching them break dance. I liked the talks we had with them even if we didn’t speak Bulgarian (strange but not impossible)." (Abdellatif Benzakri)
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The socially disadvantaged background of most of the children is
considered to be the reason for many problems, which they face in school,
in their contacts with other people, in their everyday life. That's why the interaction with other
young people from different countries while working, playing, learning
together in the frame of an international volunteer project is essential
for their socialization and adaptation.
to
establish intercultural social contact between the children and young
people from different countries
