Lipnitza

St Michael's Community Centre

St Michael's Road

Salisbury SP2 9LE

Telephone: 01722 411244

Email: claire.powerbrowne@trusselltrust.org

Fighting Poverty and Despair with Sustainable Community Projects

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Lipnitza

Lipnitza is a small mountain village an hour and a half north-east of Sofia. In the centre of the village is an orphanage/ school for 6-16 year olds (60 of the 80 students live here during term time).

We became involved with Lipnitza in 1997, when we noticed that more children were hungry on the streets during school holidays. The physical state of the building was appalling, prompting a series of restoration projects.

We also strive to meet some running costs, including feeding, as government funding is meagre.

Building projects

Lipnitza building stands almost entirely transformed from the state we originally found it in:

Central heating has been fitted in all rooms.
The windows have been replaced, and the frames lowered to help keep heat in.
The beds and bedding have been gradually replaced, completed this winter thanks to a much-needed grant. Before this, many of the beds hung like hammocks, having been slept in by over 1000 children.
Three murals have been painted to brighten the place up. These make the world of difference to the children, providing an environment of fun for them rather than the institutional feel that otherwise dominates. October 2005 saw two Salisbury artists go over to paint shoes for the girls and athletes for the boys.
The roof was entirely replaced in 2004 just in time for the floods that followed. As the materials are high quality, we hope this will last for over 60 years. This project was part- funded by 18- year old Andy, who cycle from Lands End to John O’ Groats alone over the duration of the 2004 summer camp.

Vaccinations

Flu vaccines are given annually, to help stop the spread within Lipnitza and over the holidays when the children live in cold homes with little sanitation.

When possible, we also vaccinate against hepatitis C, which is rife in many Roma communities.

Lipnitza Orphanage/School

Lipnitza is a small mountain village 90 minutes NE of Sofia

Feeding - Big Band

Government funding fails to keep the children fed throughout the year. So we run feeding projects to meet the shortfall.

The winter of 2005/6 put a particular strain on funds, as floods caused building damage resulting in food money being spent on repair work.

On November 3rd 2005, The Salisbury Big Band played in the Guildhall in aid of our winter feeding project. The evening was a huge success (lots of dancing) and raised the money needed to feed the children.

It costs the equivalent of 35 pence per day to keep a child in Lipnitza fed.

Visits

Visits are valued incredibly by both the children and the Trussell Trust team; they are fundamental to what we do. We know most of the children and staff on a personal level. We have been close to some of them for many years.

Spending time with them is both encouraging and inspiring. And although saying goodbye is never easy, the children have faith in our support and know we will return.

The Salisbury Big Band helped raise money to feed the children.