Khristo Smirnenski Home, Balvan
Gabrovo Orphanage
Vasil Levski School, Mindya
Sushitsa Orphanage
Strazhitsa Orphanage
Ugarchin Orphanage

The Veliko Túrnovo Region (Велико Търново)

OXAB volunteers have been visiting Penyo and Maria orphanage in Veliko Túrnovo for three years. In Summer 2002 volunteers also went to other centres around the area, including Balvan, Gabrovo and Sushitsa, which are also supported by the same organisation (”Fondatsiya Zov”, or the Zov Foundation). There are around fifteen orphanages in the area and we hope to send volunteers to as many of them as possible. Each orphanage is quite different in character and location, spread over a wide region centred on Veliko Túrnovo. Although we will do our best to accommodate your requests it is not always possible to place people in their first choice orphanage due to factors beyond our control. Our contact for Veliko Túrnovo is Krasimir Vasilev, a volunteer who runs a Bulgarian charity aiming to improve social care in the region. Please read the following descriptions to get an idea of what is available. Please try to speak to committee members and past volunteers about their experiences. You might also want to look at the Veliko Túrnovo website at www.veliko-tarnovo.com.

Use the links on the map above to access the descriptions of the orphanages around Balvan, and trip reports for those centres.

Penyo and Maria Velkovi Home in Veliko Túrnovo

This house is a social establishment intended for the upbringing and education of children deprived of family care. At present there are 101 children aged from 7 to 18 years in the house. 54 are girls and 47 boys. Some of the children are orphans, some have one parent and some children have parents with mental problems or chronic diseases.

The town is very close by and the volunteers may be able to stay at the home or Krassi, our contact there, can help them to arrange an alternative. The children have good concentration making it quite easy to organise a whole range of activities for them. There are 14 teachers who take care of the children including a headmaster and a psychologist and 14 other staff members. The children are educated in the state schools in the town. The house is prepared for and wishing to accept 4 British volunteers.

Trip Reports:
Summer 2006
Summer 2005
Summer 2004 - 3
Summer 2004 - 2
Summer 2004 - 1
Easter 2004
Summer 2003 (Group 1)
Summer 2003 (Group 2)
Summer 2003 (Group 3)
Summer 2002 (Group 1)
Summer 2002 (Group 2)
Easter 2002
Summer 2001

Last updated: March 2nd, 2008