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Bulgaria Making a difference
Jenny Lambert R.G.N., S.C.M., RN[Child] 15 Charlton Road Wantage OX12 8EP 01235 762895 Jennye_lambert@yahoo.co.uk
We are grateful to the Lord for all the blessings of the past 9 months. For provision to pay Danni, the nurse and the four ‘babas’ or part-timers at Gorna Koznitsa. For the provision of food supplied to Gorna Koznitsa on each visit. Being able to buy new clothes and Pampers for each orphanage visited.
MEDVEN (57 Special needs children aged 6 – 19)
We have been able to continue the therapy with the highly dependent children, 5 of us spending another week there in October. It was very rewarding with staff taking an interest in what we were doing. They were amazed that with patient persistence one little fellow who did not speak or respond to anyone or anything climbed on to my lap and took the toy I was holding. We had become aware on our previous visit that staff felt we ought to change into some kind of uniform so we wore polo shirts with the emblem of Reachout Bulgaria and looked very professional !
We were getting along well with the Director and she valued the work we were doing there, asking us on leaving if we would come more often.Sadly when I paid a brief visit in February I discovered that the newly elected mayor had sacked her and at present there is no director there. Each orphanage is under the control of the local mayor and he /she can hire and fire as they please, often putting in their own protégé. As a result the orphanage was in chaos with the children grubby and neglected and the staff demoralised. However we were welcomed by the acting director who was one of the staff who really appreciates what we are doing there.
GORNA KOZNITSA
(58 Special needs children aged 4 – 22)  I
am glad to say that conditions at Gorna Koznitsa are improving
through the work of the ‘babas’ and Danni the nurse.. The
children here have moderate to severe learning difficulties, many
also
have autism. They have had no educational input, they
do not have toys and many have no speech. The ‘babas’ are working 1
– 1 with 24 of them, teaching them fine motor
skills
such as building bricks, how to hold a pencil, how to sit still for
5 minutes, numeracy skills etc. Their abilities are less than that
of a 2 year old.
Sadly this leaves 34 children with no ‘baba’ to work with them. We are trying to recruit more ‘babas’ but there is a big stigma in Bulgaria about disability. Although there has been a marked improvement in the children getting attention some of the staff are still unable to accept that these children have some value. The Director, Marguerita is supportive and eager to have more help. We continue to take new clothes, shoes and food there on each visit.
THE WAY FORWARD As long as the need is there I plan (D.V.) to continue the work of Reachout Bulgaria as God leads and supplies. To support the staff at Gorna Koznitsa by paying the salary of a nurse and 4 ‘baba’s there and to supply clothing and food as needed. To continue the therapy work at Medven and to encourage the staff, supplying clothing and food. To regularly visit Pleven, the large baby home to support them however I can Although staff are now suspicious and wary following the published documentary, I thank God that in the orphanages I work in I am accepted and trusted. I do pray that God will enable me to build up that trust at Plevin so that I will be able to make a difference there.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support for the work of Reachout Bulgaria |
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