Even before the recent global financial debacle, the International Monetary Fund had expressed great concern for the fate of the socially disadvantaged, and poor and needy in Eastern Europe. The prices of food stuffs and energy in Bulgaria - to name but one country - have now doubled and folk are having to spend half of their income on food, just to exist.

One third of Bulgarians live under the poverty line, meaning they survive on less than 184 leva (R1140.00) per month; 60 % of this budget is spent on utility bills, clothing and transportation. A household of four members needs 1884 leva (R11,932.00) per month in order to secure a reasonable living.

One of our beneficiaries of MWB’s Community Centre is Mrs. Solomah, who with her family, lived in Kiev, Ukraine at the time of the Chernobyl catastrophe.  Her husband was severely affected by the radiation and died shortly after the explosion.  Mrs.Solomah and her children’s health were also seriously affected so she decided to move to Bulgaria where her sister lived, and there seek medical help. Unfortunately, a year after their move, her sister also passed away.  Soon after this, her son was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis and for the past eight years he has been completely paralysed.  Her daughter, Henrietta, was recent diagnosed with a cyst on the brain and although she has undergone surgery, her state is worsening.  As all three are handicapped, Henrietta – at this stage - is the only one capable of visiting MWB’s soup kitchen to receive their meals.  There she also regularly attends the Christian meetings.  Given the family’s health issues, most of their social pension is spent on medications, leaving very little to sustain their bodies with food and other necessities.

The Solomah family will still need further support; food, warm clothing, warm blankets and heating during this severe 2009 Northern winter season - as are so many other Bulgarian families.

MWB continues, with the help of its faithful and generous donors to relieve the struggles of thousands of children, and hundreds of family units and elderly folk by providing regular supplies for their basic needs. What is more, we offer our beneficiaries a chance to overcome the poverty culture and mentality; to rise above their circumstances and get back on their feet through faith and hope in Jesus Christ.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at 10:57 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.