Helping Gypsy children to smile again

Since 1997 The Trussell Trust has worked with people living in extreme poverty in Bulgaria. Our work began with Lipnitza Orphanage/ School, which houses and educates eighty 6-16 year olds.

Initial projects focused on the physical restoration of this building, which was in a shocking state with little sanitation. Most of the Lipnitza students come from Roma (gypsy) families who find themselves excluded from Bulgarian society.

Unable to trade, such families live in shantytown style communities where survival can often be a struggle due to lack of food, clothing, running water etc. This poverty leads people into crime, prostitution drugs and alcohol, resulting in a dysfunctional and dangerous environment.