Balvan - Khristo Smirnenski Children’s Home

Balvan is a small village in the Bulgarian countryside, about 15km from Veliko Turnovo. There is a regular bus service into town, where volunteers can go to visit or spend the evening, but this is a rare opportunity to see rural Bulgaria, off the beaten tourist track. The orphanage itself is not a particularly welcoming looking place, but is being redecorated inside, and there is plenty of space outside to play games and sports. Around 55 children live here, aged 3-17; some have mild learning difficulties, but these don’t prevent them joining in enthusiastically with volunteers’ activities. With the exception of the older teenagers who go to high school in VT, the children rarely get the opportunity to leave the village, so are always thrilled by the arrival of OXAB volunteer groups, which provide a much-valued distraction in their lives. It is a very worthwhile place to work, and the children are amazing! Over the past few years, OXAB has strengthened its links with the Khristo Smirnenski Home, and now runs two long-term projects here (see present projects page). More than half of the children attend our weekly English Club, and are keen to practise their new language skills with volunteers, and there may also be an opportunity to meet with Bulgarian students who volunteer as mentors for the older teenagers. Volunteers stay in the village itself, in the ‘majority building’, where they have their own room and shower room, and villagers are always keen to meet the ‘anglichani’ – any Bulgarian phrases you learn will be especially appreciated!

Trip Reports:

Summer 2007 Summer 2006 Summer 2005 Summer 2003 (group 1) Summer 2003 (group 2) Easter 2003 Summer 2002 (Group 1) Summer 2002 (Group 2)

Last updated: April 8th, 2009