Tabitha – Bulgaria Foundation

Welcoming the volunteers at the airport in Sofia ant their transportation to Roman. Welcome to the Home and accommodation of the gusts The volunteers will be accommodated at Roman 1 with the special permission of the Mayor of Roman. And the Child Protection Department. The Dutch people will take their meals with the young people from the Home in their dining room according to menu which will be worked out in advance, probably during the visit of the President of Help Tabitha. All the young people will take active part in laying and clearing the tables and the dining room.
There will be a Welcome party/reception which Tabitha Bulgaria will coordinate and organize in advance.

• Setting up a leaders group consisting of the leaders of the project on both sides, the coordinator of the project and the Director of the Home. They will be responsible about specifying the details of the program, agreed in advance
• Allocation of the daily duties – all the young people will be divided in 3-member groups who will be responsible in shifts about the cleaning of the rooms, WC, washing of the dishes, maintaining the kitchen. The equal participation and sharing of the not very attractive activities will make the Bulgarian youngsters feel equal and have self confidence.
• Short lecture on the safety measure and knowledge of procedures and prohibitions in the Home by the Director and the chief engineer from the Municipality.
• Presentation of the Dutch group (names, education, occupation, sports preferences) and information about Holland and its place in Europe.
• Free time and sports entertainment

• Walk in the surroundings of Roman after having done their morning duties (getting prepared for the renovation, painting etc.).
• Acquainting the Dutch group with the life in a small Bulgarian town, its history, means of living, and community life. Also with the position of the young people in town.

• Preparation and grounding of the walls of the bedrooms which will be painted in bright colors and decorated with The closer collaboration will help the young people to overcome cultural barriers and to socialise the underprivileged children from the orphanage.
• Art Session on “My place in Europe”
• Work on the main topic “the Youth in Europe the same difference” looking for the common and understanding for the different. The responsibility and duties of the young people for the better future of United Europe. Mr. Elgersma, deputy ambassador to Holland in Bulgaria will participate in the discussion.

• Preparation and painting of the walls
• Activities and discussion on “My self (My “I”) – how do I view myself as an European”.
• Sports activities

• Pointing of the walls (or whatever building activities have to be done)
• Role games on “Same and Different”
• Exchange of Dutch and Bulgarian folk dances– learning of typical for the both cultures dances.

• Construction activities, wall painting, Bible studies
• Acquainting the Dutch people with the Bulgaria child Care System and the system for bringing up children, deprived of parental cares. State strategy 2009 -2014. Discussions and possible changes which could help the underprivileged children in the institutions. The Dutch people share their experience with the Dutch Child Care System.
• Visit to the orphanage in Vratza

• Weekend in the Balken, hiking, sightseeing of natural riches – Ledenica cave, visit to the place of death of Hristo Botev, Bulgarian national hero and a poet.
• Art Session on “My place in Europe”

• Painting of the walls, Bible studies
• Discussion on the role of the young people in Europe, opportunities to participate actively in the building of the future of Europe. The support and compassion which have motivated the Dutch volunteers to help the less fortunate children in the orphanage. The Dutch partners share the ways in which they have fundraised money for Roman.

• Visit to Belogradchik Rocks– a whole day trip aiming to acquaint the young people with Bulgaria

• BBQ with the IWC, organized in advance. The mayor will attend the event. The young people both Bulgarian and Dutch will prepare entertaining program.

• Cleaning of the home.
• Discussion – summery, final remarks on the cultural differences, identity and their importance for the future of Europe. Establishing the role of all the participants in the project – Holland as a long standing country member has the opportunity and duty to help the less fortunate and to share their charity experience. Bulgaria as a new member can get an example from the volunteers.
• Farewell party.