On Saturday 6th November, Velizara and Nasko, both 18, became the first residents of our new House of Opportunity in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. Having grown up in orphanages the future for Velizara and Nasko looked bleak. Many orphanage leavers are forced to turn to crime, prostitution and trafficking in order to survive. Now, thanks to your support, Velizara and Nasko have the chance to build better futures.
The opening was a red letter day for The Trussell Trust, marking the first step in our vision to see Houses of Opportunity set up right across Bulgaria. With 150 children abandoned in Bulgaria every month, each year hundreds leave state care at 18 with nothing. If we open 150 Houses of Opportunity in Bulgaria, every young person leaving an orphanage could have the opportunity to join our two year programme providing them with life-skills training, employment experience and a loving home environment.
Each new house will be run in partnership with local Bulgarian churches and communities. Pastor Rumen, Centre Manager of The House of Opportunity, Gabrovo, told us ‘I feel privileged to be part of this small beginning that will transform the lives of so many.’
