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

The Veliko Túrnovo Region (Велико Търново)

A large proportion of OXAB volunteers go to homes located in or around Veliko Turnovo, as this is the base of our Bulgarian counterpart, OXAB 2006. OXAB 2006 was set up in 2006 (surprisingly!) as a registered Bulgarian NGO, allowing us to work more closely with young Bulgarians on a long-term basis to improve the quality of life of children in the institutions with which we work. The President of OXAB 2006, Katia Zlatkova, is a social worker who is involved in many projects for OXAB, ZOV UK (our sister charity in the UK) and the local government. She meets and welcomes all volunteers, arranges accommodation, and is basically just amazing, so you are in good hands!

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

Veliko Túrnovo Town (Велико Търново)

Veliko Turnovo is one of the most picturesque towns in Bulgaria, with beautiful views across the River Yantra and the hill fortress, Tsaravets. The cobbled streets and traditional houses of the old town are also worth a visit, although most of the shops and cafes in this area are aimed at the growing tourist market. The main town centre is lively, with a bustling fruit and vegetable market and many small shops and boutiques. There are a couple of internet cafes where you can check your emails, and also plenty of book stationery shops, which are useful for buying activity materials and supplies. You might also want to look at the Veliko Túrnovo website at www.veliko-tarnovo.com.

Penyo and Maria Velkovi Home in Veliko Túrnovo

Penyo and Maria is located near to the centre of Veliko Turnovo, so volunteers have lots of opportunity to explore this beautiful city. The orphanage itself is quite big, with capacity for around 70 children, although there are currently around 50 living there. There are younger children and children with special needs, but also some older teenagers who speak good English and are keen to practice with volunteers. The children have weekly English and dance lessons, organised by ZOV UK, who also run yearly short-term projects at the orphanage (see www.zovuk.org.uk), such as a children’s choir. Many of the children are musical, so singing, or playing on the orphanage’s piano, can be particularly successful. In general though, the children are just happy for the attention, and love doing games, sports and crafts with volunteers. Parts of the home are still very basic and in poor condition, but the orphanage is working to improve the infrastructure, and the whole of the second floor has been recently decorated. There is also a very pretty garden area with benches, flowers, a pergola with benches underneath for shade and a small grass area, where the children can play games. Volunteers stay in the home of a friendly couple, who live across the road from the orphanage and rent out their rooms to students etc, and this will be organised by Katia, OXAB’s English-speaking contact.

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: February 25th, 2009