Balvan - Khristo Smirnenski Children’s Home

This is a social establishment for children and adolescents. The home has 84 children aged between 7 and 16 years; 38 are girls and 46 boys. With a few exceptions, the mental and learning problems that the children in Balvan have are mild, and 70% of them have no problems at all. There are 11 carers, including a psychologist, headmaster and teachers. The children with disabilities study at a school called “Ivan Vasov” in the village of Novo Selo. Those without mental or physical disabilities go to the Primary School in the village of Balvan. Balvan is a village and volunteers will need to travel by bus or taxi into Veliko Turnovo for ‘supplies’. There are however a couple of restuarants and shops, but they are fairly basic. The children in Balvan have few other diversions and they were thrilled this summer by the arrival of the first volunteers, it is a really worthwhile place to work. In the summer of 2002 children from Balvan went on the OXAB (then MCAB) summer camp and the home also welcomed two groups of volunteers.

Trip Reports:

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

Last updated: March 2nd, 2008