Bulgaria
DIRECTION OF THE MWB MINISTRY IN BULGARIA
Although a multi-party democracy was instituted in 1990, Bulgaria suffers a legacy of over 40 years of communist rule. The old power elite is still in place. The economy is depleted, inflation is out of control, unemployment at record levels. Food shortages are common and food prices sometimes higher than in the West. Because of lack of income, many families are forced to live without electricity, minimal nutritious food and cannot afford health care.
The health of the population in Bulgaria is gradually becoming worse. Because of the aging of the population and the negative growth, the overall death rate has risen-13.9 %, which means approximately 14 out of 100 people die each year. The death rate among the children has grown to 13.8 %. There are an incredibly high number of abortions - in fact, more abortions than births.
The situation in the state-run institutions for the elderly and children is even more grave. Buildings suffer from decades of neglect, food is always short, and shoes and clothing are literally luxury items.
There are 50,000 children in specialised homes in Bulgaria — 35,000 of them are handicapped physically and/or mentally. The death rate in the homes is high. The state provides a budget for basic survival, and often homes have to choose between heating and food .The budget money provided by the state for the institutions is not enough for clothes, shoes, books and games. Because the food in the homes is the same every day, children do not get the necessary nutrition to maintain their health … nor are vitamins available as supplements. Sheets and blankets are worn out quickly - at some orphanages they have to change them three or four times a day - and with the limited budget, it is extremely difficult to purchase new ones. There are not enough detergents to maintain good hygiene. In poor living conditions, these children rarely feel a sense of hope and encouragement for their future.
Bulgaria has now entered the EU with certain limitations as there are concerns over corruption within the government and organised crime. The fact that we work through our own Bulgarian staff and churches has meant that we can be sure of the our help reaches those for whom it is intended. At our Summer Camps, deprived children are shown love and understanding. They play and learn in an atmosphere full of hope and security. Within the Community Centers supported by MWB, the elderly are welcomed with a smile and treated with dignity as they daily receive hot nutritious food. We also run computer courses to help the people become self-sufficient once more.
