Bulgaria Ski discussion board

James, as someone who visits, orphanages, Red Cross Centres and Sunday Schools in Gypsy villages, may I suggest that you take the cash with you (saves on excess luggage charges) and buy from local shops (helps local shopkeepers) Pencils, Pens, exercise books, remember the odd sharpener, soap, and off course some Fruit and sweets. I go to the Varna Market and I can get 80 of each of the following, Bananas, Apples, Oranges and Nectarines for the equivalent of £16 to give you a guide, most places have what they call a Lev shop, a bit like our pound shops, there you can get all the other goodies. Cheers.

James i have been visiting orphanages in Pamporova area for the past 15 years, as far as I know the orphanage in Chepalarre has closed as has the one in Oraho. I visited the orphanage in Shiroka Laka a couple of weeks ago they are putting in new plastic windows and would really need the money. Our group 'Friends of Bulgaria' have left at least 20 thousand pounds in these orphanages in the past few years and I know every single penny was spent on the kids etc. The best thing to do when you arrive is to ring the Director and ask what they need. Have a nice time.

Hi James,
I'm heading out this saturday with 67 school pupils aged 13/14. This is our 10th trip tp Pamporovo and every year we visit the orphanage Sally has mentioned. It is "Katya Vanchev" Shiroka Luka, in Smoliyan. The ph/fax number is ++3593030231. We used to take out presents for the orphans but over this past 5 years we take out Sterling. Every last penny is spent on the orphanage. We have bought washing machines, tumble dryers, baby weighing scales, meat (for the freezer, instead of bean stews) flurescent lighting, a sewing machine (to make curtains) and last year the money was used to refurbish a new mother and baby unit. We have also taken out ski jackets donated by the company we hire our gear from. Our contact is a couple called Stoyan and Rumi who are ski instructors in "Steves" Ski School.
The orphans are well looked after and very appreciative of anything. All our pupils are bringing out bags of sweets eg fun size Mars, Snickers etc as the kids never get any "goodies". But really anything at all would be welcomed. Hope all goes well for you. Our pupils feel their visit to the orphanage is the highlight of their trip.