Dannia's Piccies

WOW we have some fantastic news!!

Today, September 18th 2008, we heard that Footballen Club Gagarin from Krumovo now has an official club sponsor.

This sponsor has been a big part of my life for the past 4 years, it is My Bulgaria, the forum website all about Bulgaria which I have been a member of since June 2004.

 

I will be keeping a blog on My Bulgaria each week as apposed to updating this so hope you will keep coming back, thanks.

I put an appeal on the forum at the weekend and My Bulgaria got in touch, asked us how much we wanted and we agreed the deal.  Fantastic stuff.  It means that along with the other donations the club can play football for a whole season without having to worry, though we still need donations where possible, of equipment such as footballs which is an ongoing thing, and the fact that we want to improve facilities in the school gym, which hasn't been decorated in 68 years and has not been in use for some years now but is necessary for the club to be able to continue throughout the winter, and also now we have a football team, we need a clubhouse for changing facilites near the pitch, so need to raise in excess of £15000 for these future projects.

We have just had 41 pairs of various sized football boots sent over from Darren's Auntie Pat who visited and saw what we are doing here in June, but believe it or not we still need a few more pairs in larger boys sizes.  Pat went round loads of car boot sales with her friend and got this lot!!!

Imelda Marcos of the football world!

We got a call from the Mayor of Krumovo today (this is where our club is) and he wanted Darren to come anc check that they were doing the pitch okay as there are a few things needing to be ironed out, such as a corner which the lads have to run up, and a big hole behind the goal, andthe pitch being too short, and some electricity cables running over the top of the pitch, which the municipality has seen and says is no problem!

But hopefully by the time FC Gagarin play their first home match in a few weeks time the pitch will be near perfect.

Now we want you to come and support the club as much or as little as you can especially for away games, as the lads families cannot afford the fuel to get there most of the time so they need as much as possible, if you can.

Our next match is tomorrow 19th September at 5.30 kick off, in Bolyarovo, dont ask me where the pitch is as I dont know!

The next match is Monday 22nd September at 5pm in General Inzovo which if coming from Krumovo, the pitch is next to the cafe on the left hand side behind the bus stop at the start of the village.

All welcome but please bring your shouting voices!!!

Okay now to update you about the football.

A lot has been happening for the boys from Krumevo this year, after winning a local competition the boys felt they wanted to progress, so with the help of the mayor of Krumovo, the boys have been accepted into the Yambol football league.  This is the first time in 25 years that Krumovo have had a team in the Yambol league so its very exciting stuff for them, and for Darren too of course.

We have had various meetings, and one with the Mayor of Tundzha who has assured us funds would be available for the school salon (gym) to be repaired so that the boys will have some where to continue their training through the winter.  Flooring from Crystal Palace sports ground has been offered and we are hoping to raise funds to go toward new plasterboards with insulation, and windows to repair this room.

We had a full mens kit donated from Belper Town FC in Derbyshire plus 2 other full kits were donated from a guy in Malomir via Phil from OBW which were still packaged brand new these have gone to Pat and Eddie from Bezmer and the other will go to a local school. There was also another kit from Belper town which we will give to our friend in Glavan who wants to start a mens team, and another kit which is to be kept for the younger lads if they get a match with Pat and Eddie's team and others.

The Exeter City FC kit we had is to be a spare kit for the Krumovo mens team, I say men but these guys are aged from 16 upwards.

Yesterday when Darren went to complete the registration of the team, he was informed that each home match will cost the team 150 leva for the referee and the linesmen and 50 leva for a doctor to be present which is compulsory.
These fees are higher than in the UK as no doctor has to be present and we don't have official linesmen to pay.
Darren had talked to the mayor previously about costs and this was not mentioned which is just so typical.

This is a major blow to the team as there is no way on earth that they will be able to afford these fees plus fuel allowance and fines if they happen to get any through no fault of their own.
You can imagine how we are feeling right now, quite deflated as we dont know how we are going to be able to afford for them to now play.

Therefore we are now looking for another sponsor or sponsors to come forward (we have had a local business man from Krumovo pay the registration fees of 440 leva)

Referee and linesmen 150 x 13 home games 1950
Doctor 50 x 13 home games 650
Fuel allowance 10 x 13 away games 130
fines ?
cost to have sponsor printed on shirts if required ?

Fortunately the first 5 games are away games, so we can manage that, and if worst comes to worst Darren will ask if more away games can be played until they can afford this, if we had known, there is no way would have considered entering them as its ridiculous to expect them to afford it, how do other teams manage is what I want to know?

We have had a glimmer of hope that the Kia will be back on the road by the end of the month (its only been in the garage since 17th May!!) and if so (and if the final repairs are as cheap as they indicated) at least we will have transport available.

I know its a long shot, but if we don't ask we don't get.

Any business people out there who want to sponsor us please get in touch asap.

The first game is today (13.09.08) in Boyadzhik from 5pm, so all welcome and every weekend a match will be played weather permitting around this time.
Wish us luck!!!

Nikki and Darren

 

Well so many months have now passed and we have paid so many visits this year to the children's home in Yambol and heard many stories though mostly sad.

The worst for me was when we took Darren's auntie, as we met a brother and sister aged 4 and 6, Mimi and Niki.  Wonderful news was that Niki was being adopted, but awful that it left poor Mimi in the home and she is such a beautiful little girl needing to be with a loving family.  They are Bulgarian children so it wont be long I suspect before she is adopted, but such a shame they had to be separated.

Anther child there at that same visit was Daniel, he was great with Darren's camera, as he thought about his subject matter rather than just point and shoot and here is one he took

(Darren with Nassi)

During this same visit we heard that Daniel was also to be adopted, so that is wonderful news.

It is sometimes worse going with someone who speaks Bulgarian as we hear the horror stories, we realise they are all in there with a terrible history in most cases, but one of the children, was rescued from his parents beatings at the age of 1 and has been in the home now for 5 years, he is not a normal child in every respect as sadly despite the home doing what they can do the best of their ability and resources, he really needed a family to give him that one to one love and care, and if he was ever to be adopted now he would be a very hard case to turn around, they say he does nothing but bully and shout, is agressive always and very destructive.  Cases like this sadden me as he will most likely remain in the home until he is 18 and then be turned out to what?  Unless changes are made.

After a visit in May this year with Vikki from Sredets and her friend who brought over a car full of stuff for the home, and who gave us 1000 bgn to use as we wish on the football and or the home, we began an appeal shortly after requesting donations for a new washing machine, with a 12 kg load and 30 new mattresses to replace the aging ones in the home.

Vikki and Elaine drove across Europe with a car loaded with goodies for the Yambol Children's Home

We asked friends, family and Bulgaria forum members from My Bulgaria and Our Bulgarian World.

We assumed it would be an ongiong thing and Darren came up with the idea of sponsoring a mattress at 50 leva each we thought this would be an affordable option as apposed to get a lump sum for them, that way they can be replaced as and when we got the money.

The machine was already paid for as we had a donation given to us previously from Lucy and Dudley from the forums, who had had a birthday and leaving for BG party and raised 240 pounds (I have no pound sign on my keyboard sorry) so we had no worries about that.

A jar was set up in the Bulgarian Real Estate Agency office in Yambol, which Karen suggested her clients, staff and friends put in their unwanted stotinki's and donations, initially just for the orphanage but then she did the same for the Krumovo football.

Within 2 weeks of announcing these appeals, we had all of the money required, (we did find out during the appeals that the mattresses were priced from 2 years ago and had now gone up to 60 leva per mattress) which was an overwhelming sense of acheivement and happiness for us and for the home.

Unfortunately though the machine was delievered weeks ago, it has only just been plumbed in, so we were invited along to see it in situ and in action.

We went with Sam who had sponsored a mattress, and we shown that they didn't want the machine in with the normal washing machines as it was very wet and damp and obviously it would be exposed to problems with rust.  The machines they had in there were old industrial ones, washers and driers, and this is where they put our machine.

I dont have pictures of the mattresses as the pictures of them in the shop were lost when my hard drive went sick and I couldn't retrieve them.

The proudly showed us the new machine in action, telling us that it would only be used for childrens/baby clothes and the other machines are for bedding etc and they said they would look after it, well I thought they seem to have done a spectacular job on the other machines as they did look ancient.

So HUGE BIG THANKS go to Vikki and her friend Elaine for their initial donation of 1000 bgn (which I believe was raised by having car boot sales etc), and Lucy and Dudley for their idea of raising money from parties,  who without them this would not have inspired us to do this, and also big thanks to the people who have amazed us with their generosity of money for the mattresses, namely

Karen and Nick & coffee jar money so far

Jeanette and Keith

Caroline UK2BG

Johnny and Paula 

Joe and Olive

Dave Sam and Kev

Billy and Carrie

Jayne and Terry

Harpe (MY BG)

Ann T (OBW)

Shane and Kate and Mum

Leigh and Brian

Angie and Patrick

Sheila and Paul

Sara and Martin

Lesley

Helen

We also found out that another brother and sister who are atually twins are to be split up, the little girl will be adopted in this instance.  They are Roma children and we were told that no Bulgarians want to adopt Roma children, but people from Italy are apparently keen on these children.

Also we heard that one of my favourite little guys Nassi (Nasko) who I photographed in the baby section on our first visit, has been adopted. I am so happy for this little boy, he is such a happy beautiful child but I am so sad that I will not get to see him again.  I was worried as when he went to the older kids area, he became withdrawn but just a month later he was back to happy smiley Nassi and now he will be smiling everyday with his new family.

Sadly poor little Mimi has become withdrawn, she is so obviously missing her brother Niki and we took Mariella from the BRE office with us this visit, and Mimi clung to her for cuddles the whole time.  We are hoping she will become adopted very soon. 

We see that the Yambol Children's Home are doing all that the can under the circumstances but there is so much more they could be doing with the right information and resources, but in the mean time if we can help we will continue to do so.

Nikki and Darren

We were treated to a little concert performed by the children at the home in Yambol.
We had previously gone to meet with the director Donka with Evgeni from Bulgarian Real Estate, to discuss the viability of us visiting the children more regularly for play sessions.
Donka was fine about this and said we were welcome anytime, even at weekends when they are closed to visitors.

So now we will have a chance to get to know some of the children on a more personal level and we truly hope this will be of some benefit to their welfare.

Anyway, after the talk, we went and played with an older group of children as apposed to seeing the babies, (everyone likes the babies) and spent a good hour in there with Evgeni to assist.
We were given a sneak preview of the children's performance and then invited to the real thing on the 21st December.

Here is some video footage of the children having such a fun time, and we really enjoyed it, from the minute we walked into the room, some of the kids we have had several visits with recognised us, which was wonderful and they were really excited, enthusiastic and non stop smiling from ear to ear the whole time.  As much as it was so funny and happy, it moved me to tears as I suspected it would, they should all be with their families, but then they know no different at that age I suppose, and maybe just maybe they are better off here due to some of the circumstances at home.

I hope you enjoy this and I did get permission from Donka to put this on the internet.

Concert 21st December You Tube

Orphanage and football in Krumovo Blog

For a couple of months now, me and Darren have run a campaign to raise 3160 leva (approximately £1130) for the Yambol Children's Home to have a wheelchair ramp from the ground floor to the outside of the building, which at that time had shallow steps only, making it very difficult and dangerous for the care staff to take the disabled children outside the premises.

With the help of Bulgarian Real Estate Online, Quest Bulgaria, UK2BG and lots of private donations from family, friends, members of this forum and OBW, and the money I won for the blogs competition on here, we have raised the total required, with a small amount over which has enabled us to buy some shinpads for the boys Darren coaches football to in Krumovo.

We can all make a difference to the under privaleged kids of Bulgaria, whether they are in care homes, their own homes, or in schools.

By making donations of much needed equipment, nappies, cleaning materials, food, toys and books, clothes and bedding to the homes, by giving your time to the kids either by teaching them how to cook or sew, let them help you garden or learn Bulgarian and maybe teach them English, play football with them, this sort of thing will have a huge positive effect on them and help you to integrate.

Here are some ideas for the sort of stuff which you can add to your suitcases or buy for the home in Yambol or one near you.

Here are the steps with the new wheelchair/pushchair access (Before and After)

Works carried out by Bulgarian Real Estate Online

Football Kit and what a difference it can make

Darren coaches a local group of boys in the village of Krumovo.

The boys age from 5 to 23 and absolutely love the sessions, which are twice a week, if they had it their way it would be more often!

We made an appeal for some kit and this was the result.

Dencho helps fit the new boots supplied by UK2BG

New Kit donated by Exeter City Fc

Kit kindly donated by Exeter City Football Club, UK2BG and youth football clubs in Exmouth, Devon

Many thanks to everyone who has donated so far 

You can make a huge difference to people's lives, none of this is difficult and it really is fun so what's stopping you?

Nikki and Darren

http://danniabg.tripod.com

August 2007

Great news last week from Phil at BRE Online, the wheelchair access fund is almost at the target, not 17000 leva, but only 3160 leva!!

12.07.2007
Many thanks Tracy and Harry from Malik Manastir for your donation, added to the pot. (1350 bgn)

ANOTHER UPDATE 02.07.2007

Chris from My BG has kindly agreed that anyone wishing to make specific donations of money for the wheelchair ramp fund can do so by making it known to him at the time of the donation, so if sending a cheque please attach a note with it, or if transferring money please email Chris to let him know your name, amount and that it is for the wheelchair ramp fund.

We have hit the first 1000 leva (1250) thanks to My Bg, Carriemc, Philr68, Ann Bell, Alex Garrett, Dominae and Helen and my prize from the My BG Blogger competition which is fantastic stuff!!

So anyone wanting to donate, here are the details of how to do it
http://www.mybulgaria.info/content-250.html

Many thanks Chris and Everyone else so far.

Nikki

Phil at Bulgarian Real Estate Online has started a progress meter on his Yam Jam Studios site to help raise the 17000 bgn required to buy a wheelchair ramp for the Yambol Orphanage.
He has kickstarted the appeal with a 100 bgn donation himself, to add to it please contact Phil or myself.
Thanks Phil

We met with Phil's builders who specialise in disabled needs at the home last Thursday and discussed the requirements, an architect will now need to visit the site and discuss the options and then hopefully get a price a lot less than what the director has been quoted 2 years ago, which was rejected by the BG government, but now BG are in the EU the rules and regs are likley to be far stricter so could be a similar cost.

Will keep everyone updated on this.

Ed Joy from RealAid emailed to say that the list the director gave from the home, has been approved and though RealAid still cannot promise anything, as soon as the needs are met they will be shipped over for the home.

Me and Darren also have asked for some equipment for a group of lads Darren is football coaching, and that has been approved as well, we cheekily asked for a petrol lawnmower to keep the grass short that they play on, plus football boots, shinpads, training equipment, drinks bottles, kit etc.

Lets hope we can all make it happen!

Update

Hi all
we met Ed Joy from RealAid today to discuss what may be possible for Yambol Orphanage, and it appears anything could be so with that in mind, we all went along to the orphanage, and met the director and spoke of the needs of the orphanage via a translator Ed provided called Vera I think.

One of the things which came out of the discussion was the need for a ramp for wheelchair access from the outside stairs into the building.
The director reckons the cost would be about 17000 leva (£6000 approx) so we would like to get the ball rolling on this and so could do with some advice on how to accept some donations to make this possible without being taxed on them or getting into trouble, perhaps someone could advise, and/or if there are any builders who could offer their services for free, this would be fantastic.
The director has been asking the government for this for some time, with nothing happening so it would be a fantastic acheivement if we can sort this for them.

Thanks Ed for your insight into whats possible, and to everyone who has donated things so far, we need it to continue, so think about what you can fit into your luggage and drop it off at the real estate office at 4a Preslav Street, Yambol, or to me or if you want to do it in person contact me and I can make it happen.
Thanks Very Happy

Since our meeting with Ed, we have requested some kit for the village lads Darren has been coaching twice a week and Ed has said he will see what he can do.
What they need more than anything is football boots or trainers, if anyone can donate these items we would be very very grateful, as lots of the boys play barefoot or with flip flop and socks!

Nikki

We have managed to get the largest estate agent based in the Yambol area to agree to become a central collection point for donations for the orphanage in Yambol

If you have any donations whatsoever, please take to the offices of

Bulgarian Real Estate Online

4A Preslav Street

Yambol 8600

Hopefully this will make it easier for those of you who cannot get to our place as it is in the centre of Yambol, and maybe if you shop around Yambol you might buy a couple of bits for the orphanage and you can drop off with Phil and Co and BRE Online.

Many thanks

You can help too!!!