I'm new here so not entirely au fait with how this goes ... anyway, I've done a search for orphanages in Vidin but couldn't find anything in this forum. From info on the web generally, there seem to be three (one for handicapped children, one for babies - 7 yrs, one for 7-16 yrs) but I may have got this wrong and am happy to be corrected!
I am visiting Vidin at the end of October and want to take all my son's old (but good condition) toys and various clothes (also in good condition). I'm probably aiming for the home for the 7-16 year age group. There are three of us going, so I hope to have three large suitcases (we will only have hand luggage ourselves) and really push our luggage allowance to the limit!! We will have a car, so getting to the home is no problem.
But: who to contact/where to take them?
If anyone can help with advice, contacts etc, I'd really appreciate it.

Hi Lynn I don't know if this helps, let us know and if not we can do some more digging, unfortunately at the moment the member who knows more than any of us is at a fund-raising event in Bulgaria so we can't ask her.

You can try emailing Mick Cooper here [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] he works very closely with what I beleive is the Orphanage you are looking for , and if not I'm sure he will help, if all else fails try the information below.

Goiod luck Lynn and well done Ashley lets hope your right

Hello Lynn just wanted to wish you every success with your search and to say hello to you

All the best to you, why don't you introduce yourself in the introduction section and mention the same in there I'm sure it would help?

If you don't have any luck contact berni (oddball) when she dets back

- it's great to see the forum is so active. I will follow up on the suggestions, take on board your good wishes and let you know how it goes!
If I have left it too late to find out the information I need before I go, I will take the stuff and leave it in my house (Simeonovo, nr Vidin) and then at least it's there for my next visit, by which time I may have sorted something out.

Good luck LynnJC it always brightens my day when I read about people like you who really do care

Hello all
My name is Mick Cooper and I live in the village of Novo Selo, the one that you are talking about. I have established a NGO here in Bulgaria called Phoenix Inspire. Phoenix Inspire's web site is [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Please have a look to see what we are upto.
To clarify the situation there is one children's home in Vidin, one in Belogradchik and one in Novo Selo. The one in Vidin feeds the other two. Vidin houses some 75 children between the ages of zero to 7 years. We visit the children's fairly regularly donating goods such as clothes and toys from donated in the UK. Belogradchik and Novo Selo house children of the same age, 7 to 18 years. I am not sure how many children are resident at the Belogradchik children's home but here in Novo Selo there are some 48. I primarily support the Novo Selo children's home, two kindergartens. Someone wrote about Xmas not reaching these parts, and she was right, until last year that is. Last year we gave out Xmas presents to 69 children, new boots and waterproof clothing to the children in the Children's Home. I hope to be travelling back to the UK in my lorry to collect the Xmas presents, clothes, toys etc for local residents.
If I can help with advice regarding this region please let me know

LynnJC wrote:

- it's great to see the forum is so active. I will follow up on the suggestions, take on board your good wishes and let you know how it goes!
If I have left it too late to find out the information I need before I go, I will take the stuff and leave it in my house (Simeonovo, nr Vidin) and then at least it's there for my next visit, by which time I may have sorted something out.

Hello LynnJC, if I can help please let me know. I will introduce you to various people if needed.
Mick

That's fantastic, Mick, and I would very much like to take you up on your generous offer of introductions to whoever I need to meet.
I've had a look at your website - very interesting - and I am intrigued by the "
Ceroc meets Bulgarian Folk"
... by coincidence, we will be in Bulgaria from 25-29 October (3 nights in Vidin, 1 in Sofia). Would it be possible to join in the visits to the childrens' homes, thereby meeting the relevant folk and delivering the toys/clothes at the same time?

Hi there

You could also look at the following website as it lists pretty much all the homes in Bulgaria:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

It is in Bulgarian but you could always use Google translate.

It is a great thing you want to do

LynnJC wrote:

That's fantastic, Mick, and I would very much like to take you up on your generous offer of introductions to whoever I need to meet.
I've had a look at your website - very interesting - and I am intrigued by the "
Ceroc meets Bulgarian Folk"
... by coincidence, we will be in Bulgaria from 25-29 October (3 nights in Vidin, 1 in Sofia). Would it be possible to join in the visits to the childrens' homes, thereby meeting the relevant folk and delivering the toys/clothes at the same time?

Hello Lynn
no problem you are welcome to join in. I will be travelling from Sofia on 25th. The group are staying at the Rovno Hotel for three nights. We will be going to Belogradchik Tuesday morning and then to Novo Selo in the afternoon including a visit to the Children's Home. Not sure how to contact you. There is plenty of time before 25th. The full itinerary for the trip is
Day one
• Depart the UK for Bulgaria
• Arrive Sofia Airport, transfer to coach by taxi
• Travel to Vidin and the Rovno Hotel
• Dinner at Classic Pizza which is near to the hotel

Day two
After breakfast
• Tourist activity –
o Belogradchik ([You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] ... LOGRADCHIK)
• Lunch in Belogradchik
• Travel to Novo Selo, visit the Children’s Home to meet Latinka and have Banitsa
• Dancing –
o English dancers teach local Bulgarians how to Ceroc (6 of the 12 foundation moves)
o Bulgarian folk dancers teach English visitors traditional dance routines
• Transfer to dinner at Champions Bar for dinner
• Transfer to accommodation

Day three
After breakfast
• Tour of Vidin, the major town of the region including the Children’s Home
Baba Vida, the open market, Church and what is called the Promenade
• Lunch in Vidin
• Free time
• Travel to Novo Selo
o Meet the Mayor of Novo Selo
o English dancers teach local Bulgarians how to Ceroc (remaining 6 of the 12 foundation moves)
o Bulgarian folk dancers teach English visitors traditional dance routines
• Dinner at the Cantonese Restaurant in Vidin
• Transfer back to accommodation
Day four
• Coach trip to the capital of Bulgaria – Sofia, bags straight to the Hotel BudaPest
• Visits to sites of significance for Bulgaria. Roman and Ottoman rule have left their marks on Sofia. The capital has many sites of special interest which are well worth the visit.
• Lunch in Sofia
• Possible visit to Serdika;
Serdika is the largest modern shopping mall in Bulgaria
• Dinner in Sofia
• Back to the Hotel
Day five
• Rise and breakfast
• Transfer to the airport
• Flight to the UK

If you want to join in the dance you are most welcome too
I will try to post something about what I am trying to do. I believe the cliche is 'why give them a fish when you can give them a rod and teach them to fish!'

Looking forward to seeing you soon
Mick

Sounds interesting wish I was over there at that time hope you all have a good time

Hi Lynn

Did you manage to find an orphanage in Vidin, we have a list of orphanage now, Ashley compiled should you wish to know more let me know.

Oddy