Babas are the backbone of Bulgaria, not strutting, feckless politicians, Merc-driving mutri or silicone-enhanced 'celebs' - a heartwarming story of a young woman who's helping to prove it:

Middlesbrough volunteer a veteran of charity mercy trips at 23

THE North-east’s longest serving volunteer with a British charity helping Bulgarian children is all set for a fifth visit to the country.

Veteran volunteer Farrah Khan, 23, from Middlesbrough, works with The Bulgarian Abandoned Children’s Trust (TBACT), a charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged and disabled children.

The organisation campaigns for an end to institutional care.

“Some of the conditions you wouldn’t even recognise in the UK. I was shocked when I went,” said Farrah.

One of the main aims of TBACT is to introduce “Babas”, or surrogate grannies, into the children’s lives.

“There was one child who we didn’t think had long because he was really ill,” said Farrah. “But going back recently, he’s now got a Baba and he’s coming on a long way. The results we’ve seen are brilliant.”

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Fantastic!!!! It is so good to see the younger generation get involved in this kind of work. Well done to Farrah and the Trust for all the wonderful work they do. ::

Indeed Odball

Their strategy is clever in my view - first objective, give these kids some human love and material help - and secondly work to ensure (hopefully) that these places can eventually be closed down- rendered obsolete as abandonment reduces.

Mac

Brilliant to see such positive things happening and positives about the younger generation. well done to the young lady.