Bulgarian Child Activities-2006

Bulgarian Child Activities- 2006.

The needs of the institutionalized children in Bulgaria are overwhelming. Here is a very brief rundown ways BCI has helped in 2006 .

Clothing Distribution.
BCI had a Spring distribution of clothing and shoes. Total distribution for 2 weeks: 1,267 items of clothing from Kelly's Kids, 1,473 pairs of socks, 286 t-shirts, 365 pairs of jeans, and 1524 pairs of new shoes!!! Most of the shoes were donated by Buckner Benevolence, Dallas, TX. The rest were purchased in Bulgaria by BCI.
New boots and/or winter shoes were placed on the feet of 990 children in 18 orphanages this fall. We also had preschool shoes to fit 130 little ones in a Roma community.
Nearly 200 winter coats were purchased in the States and shipped here. BCI purchased 85 more coats in Bulgaria. For the first time ever, all 130 children in the home in Roman and the 83 children in the home in Lom have new coats at the same time. Other coats were distributed to the ambulatory children in two homes for handicapped children and youth.
300 New, hand-knitted sweaters were received from “Guidepost” and given to preschoolers.
Hundreds of pairs of underwear, socks and other underclothing were distributed.
551 pairs of pajamas have been sewn and distributed.

Food, Toiletries, Diapers
Three tons of canned food was donated by an American factory and shipped to Bulgaria for delivery. This was distributed in 4 orphanages.
In addition to that, twice this year, BCI purchased thousands of dollars worth of food staples and delivered them to several homes.
Thousands of diapers were donated and shipped from the States for distribution in homes for babies and the handicapped.
About 150 new blankets were donated and distributed.
Hundreds of sheets were sewn with high quality cotton fabric and distributed.

Flu Vaccines and Medications.
BCI has purchased flu vaccine for nearly 300 high-risk children living in 5 different orphanages: Gorna Koniztsa, Georgi Damyanovo, Dren, Berkovitsa, and Rudnik.
Other needed medications were given to many orphanages.

Surgeries, Wheelchairs and Standing Frames
Eye surgery was performed on two children from the home for the handicapped in Berkovitsa. Both look great, but another surgery may be required for one child.
BCI received more than 30 wheelchairs and standing frames (for children with cerebral palsy or similar conditions) from Buckner Benevolence. BCI distributed them in 6 homes for the handicapped.
Groundwork has been laid for a team of neurosurgeons to come to Bulgaria in March to perform surgery on many babies suffering from hydrocephaly and/or spina bifida. This will literally save their lives. We are working with another foundation – One Heart – to provide appropriate medical treatment for these kids.

School supplies.
School supplies for around 400 needy children were delivered to the school in the Roma(gypsy) village of Rakovitsa. BCI has provided school supplies for about 1,000 children this fall in many orphanages across Bulgaria.
Office furniture – desks, chairs, etc. were donated to the school in Rakovitsa

Recreation and Playground equipment.
17 new bicycles and 3 tricycles from the States were delivered to 4 homes. An in-ground basketball system has been given to the home in Borovtsi. Other homes have received balls, outdoor play equipment, etc. Preschool and baby homes have been given hundreds of toys, riding toys, puzzles, etc.
Gift bags with a toy, underwear, hair bows, toothbrushes, notebooks, ink pens, etc. were given to children in four orphanages.

Salaried Staff working in Orphanages.
BCI paid for a full-time special education teacher, a part-time psychologist, and a part-time art therapist to work in the home for handicapped in Petrovo.
BCI, in coordination with a Dutch foundation has initiated a Baba (Grandmother)Program in the home for mentally ill children in Gorna Koznitsa. BCI funds two grandparents. They visit the home three days each week and work with children on a small-group and individual basis.
Used Computers/computer labs.
Ten computers were given to the orphanage in Gotse Delchev home for school age children. Computers were also given to Alexandrovska Hospital for Eye Diseases where two BCI -surgeries were done this year.

Special Projects:
Berkovitsa home for handicapped children and youth.
A beauty salon was set up in this home after some of the children there were taught basic hair cutting skills.
A sewing studio was completed in the same home. There are 5 sewing machines. Fabric, thread, zippers, buttons, and other notions have been donated to the home. The children have made clothing for themselves and others, plus sheets, curtains, and tote bags.
A team from Cabot, Arkansas helped the youth at this home build specially designed chicken coops. Monies were collected from American school children to purchase laying hens. The goal is to have enough hens to provide an egg per child per day.
This same team brought ladies to teach the children how to make adorable sock dolls, and hats and scarves with special hand looms. The proceeds from the sale of these items will go to special needs (and wants) of the orphanage.
We are still working to secure permissions for building a woodworking shop at a home for handicapped children and youth in Berkovitsa. BCI will fund the production of beds and other items to be provided for other orphanages.

Volunteer teams: 6 American volunteer teams worked in several orphanages this year. Each team came with unique purpose – teaching specific skills, distributing shoes or clothing, providing recreational activities, telling Bible stories and singing songs, etc. The overall goal, however, was simply to touch the lives of the children in the homes and bring them a sense of being loved and valued. Though it may be brief, the effects of that touch will last a lifetime.