Nova
Zagora - 2000
by Julia Smith, Assistant Admissions Officer
Ten minutes by car from Nova Zagora in central Bulgaria is
the Asenovets orphanage which houses around 85 children,
aged between 4 and 14. Until a few years ago, conditions
at this orphanage were in desperate need of improvement.
To provide a sense of what this meant, consider an erratic
water supply, unsealed bathroom floors, no connection to
a sewage system, inadequate laundry facilities, bare play
areas, no curtains, rugs or carpets in the children's rooms,
few personal possessions, basic diet, poor hygiene, and last
but not least a lack of warmth and love in the children's
lives which was reflected in problems such as frequent bed-wetting.
Through the Amsterdam-based Friends of Nova Zagora, a school-wide
project has been undertaken by the ISA community to raise
money and gifts for the orphanage and all its children.
In
1998 the first ISA visit was made to Nova Zagora
by Kim Zemlak (former Grade 3 teacher, left
in 1999) and Helen Forde (Middle School Community
Service Coordinator) to assess the orphanage's
needs and to develop the involvement of the
ISA community. The following year, Helen Forde,
Margaret van Berkel and Ann Kmetz returned
to assess the progress and expenditure and
to make plans with the Director of the orphanage.
The emphasis of these trips was very much on
finding out what the orphanage and its occupants
themselves felt they need, rather than imposing
needs on them. However, hygiene was a priority
and one of the first goals was to install a
sewage/waste water system. Laundry facilities
were donated and the difference was breathtaking
between these and the original facilities which
the orphanage had managed with for so long.
Individual
attention was also given to the children. As
well as the provision of clothing and toys,
frames and prescriptions were provided for
children who needed glasses and some with more
serious problems, such as being cross-eyed,
had operations arranged. |
Interestingly, the State pays for these operations - what
was needed was the motivation and support to arrange them.
This highlights how it is not only financial and material
aid which is needed - moral and emotional support is also
invaluable. Trucks are sent twice a year with furniture,
clothing, games and toys. This year the trucks left in June
and another will be sent in November in conjunction with
an aid agency.
The
children at Asenovets orphanage are very proud
of their links with Amsterdam. They have sent
pictures to the children at ISA (particularly
to the third grade) and the ISA and Asenovets
children exchange photos, thus forging links
which promote integration and awareness on
a European scale. To emphasise the fact that
the project is indeed school-wide, we can look
at what the different sections of the ISA community
have achieved. For example two dance-a-thons
were organised by the Middle School which raised
money for a new roof and also new bathrooms.
A web page and information brochures were also
produced by Middle School students. The Lower
School took charge of the Christmas tree appeal
which was phenomenally successful, as well
as coordinating donations of clothing and toiletries.
The PTA contributed donations from its Japanese
auction from 18 March this year. Two Upper
School Design Technology classes are working
on designing various articles and have recently
been working on mirrors for the children, thinking
of appropriate themes. The Upper School produced
a video and arranged a car wash to help with
donations. Not only does this help the children
in Bulgaria, it also fosters community awareness
and provides an opportunity for the ISA community
to become involved in a direct, hands-on project
in Europe.
Now
the Friends of Nova Zagora feel they need to
evaluate where they are going. Having had such
a positive impact on one orphanage in Bulgaria,
the question needs to be asked whether this
same impact can be created in other orphanages,
so that standards and conditions for children
in all orphanages in Bulgaria can benefit from
a project such as this.
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