Volunteer programme kicks off in Bulgaria

The first group of CAST volunteers flew out to Bulgaria earlier this month to help care for the children at one of the largest institutions for children 0-7 years in northern Bulgaria. The group of four, who are all experienced volunteers, are starting what is expected to be, a long term volunteer programme at the home.

Other organisations and individuals have volunteered at the home previously and the Director of the home has found their support and help to be very positive for the children. As a result the Director has agreed for the CAST/TBACT partnership to implement a committed programme of volunteers from June 2009 onwards.

TBACT has been running a Baba Programme for 40 children at the Pleven home since last year and the volunteers will bring much needed comfort and fun to those children who currently don’t have a Baba.
Lydia Kinton, the CAST co-ordinator for Bulgaria; ‘We have sent volunteers into Bulgaria before but this will be our first programme working in a social care home for young children. It’s going to be a real challenge for our volunteers – there are so many children – all in need of attention and stimulation – as well as needing basic care like washing, feeding and changing nappies. There are over 250 children in this home so the volunteers are
really going to have their hands full! We have started with small groups of volunteers to begin with and we will review how it works with the Director over the coming months but we hope to be able to send larger groups of volunteers next year.’

Most volunteer places have now been taken for 2009 – although December is not yet full! Anyone interested in being a volunteer in Bulgaria should contact CAST direct by email: tbact@cast-uk.com or visit their website for more information: www.cast-uk.com

CAST are the international division of the Life Improvement for Everyone Organisation and have a wide range of experience in managing volunteers across Europe including Romania and Belarus.