Humanitarian -- Sofia, Pazardzhik, Buhovo, and Plovdiv, Bulgaria

 St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is in the center of Sofia, capital of Bulgaria. Walking on the streets and sides walks are tricky. They mostly have cobblestone paved roads and sidewalks. We tripped on almost all the walkways throughout the city. The streets are mostly one way and very skinny. There was a park where street vendors sell their artwork. 

It is very easy to get around this city. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints' church and mission home is about 6 blocks from this cathedral.  

It was 80 degrees when we arrived and the day was lovely. At night we walked across the street to the Doctor's Garden Park. This monument is dedicated to all the doctors who had lost their life during war times. 

Many families and children were at the park till all hours of the night. This park is about 2 blocks from the city center.

The Church of Latter-day Saint missionaries helped us with translating. We are thankful for their time and knowledge of the language.

We visited four organizations that serve the people in Bulgaria. One was a children's hospital for diseases. Another helps the homeless and the disabled children. One was the University Hospital that is public and in need of medical equipment. The other was an organization that works with refugees, Roma/Gypsies and helping children with education to learn the Bulgarian language.

Here is a good site to read regarding Roma People

One of our projects (ADRA-partner) was in a small village called, Pazardzhik. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated  toward building this medical center for the city. The city has a lot of Roma People. They are in a very poverty stricken state. The medical facility will have one GP doctor and one dentist. The rest of the building will consist of social environment and psychological Therapy, bathrooms and showers, and it is even set up for handicap. There is also a children's room. This project will be open in February of 2022.

Plovdiv is one of our favorite places. Bulgarians refers to Plovdiv as "The City of the Seven Hills". We walked the hills. 

Plovdiv was known by the name Philippopolis and founded as far back as 359 BCE. There still remains walls and part of a Roman colosseum.

Our last project is just outside of Sofia. This hospital was situated by the mountains in a lovely area. However, this place is a hostel for homeless along with rehabilitation patients. The village is called, Buhovo. 

We are heart stricken at the poverty level of the building and facility. The concrete and tiles are crumbling, the paint is chipped, there is rust on every window, the mattresses are sagging, the rooms are very small with up to 4 people in them. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have donated some medical equipment and mattress covers for some of the beds in the past. We were told by the head doctor that some of their homeless were just dropped off by family members or others and never were heard of again. This project is probably one of the most emotionally felt humanitarian efforts we have encounter so far. 

Because this hospital does not have heaters the staff put all the women in one room and the men in another just to keep them warm during the winter time. LDS Charities will be donating heaters for 30 rooms, and 2 for larger rooms. LDS Charities will also supply them with new mattresses.