BAS projects in 2011

1/27 -BAS responded with an emergency grant to an appeal from the mayor's office for medical supplies, clothing and bed linens from the remote mountain village of Laki for its senior disabled persons center.

2/17 -We provided a grant to a Tabitha Foundation project in Pleven for renovation of a daycare center and for maintenance costs of the Foundation's utility vehicle.

2/18 -BAS received the 2011 annual grant from the Tianaderrah Foundation.

3/1 - We transferred donations from private Americans to the Laki disabled senior center.

3/17 -BAS gave financial support to the Samokov Svetlina Association for the purchase of four computers for an after-school center for 5-7 grade students. A Peace Corps Volunteer is working with the students to expand their computer skills in order to improve the spelling, math and language skills.

4/21 -We provided partial financial support to a Peace Corps program in Gorno Dryanovo for the development of a children's recreation center.  Until this building project began, children had no place, except main street, on which to play. The community was involved in the construction.

6/6 -We granted financial support for the Tabitha Foundation's physiotherapist and baba programs in Roman. These programs maintain daily care and physical therapy for the children at the orphanage.

6/13 -BAS continued our financial support to Detstvo to help four part time university student/workers.

6/22 -We supported two Peace Corps projects:
1) Camp Forest Kingdom, for 35-40 children (7-14 years of age) designed to instill environmental sensitivity;
2) renovation of soccer fields for the Roma community in Shumen.

7/5 -Reimbursement to Wiley Rein for charitable solicitation license.

7/15 -Stanimir Alexandrov added a contribution to the Toni Alexandrova Memorial Fund.

7/20 -BAS supported Peace Corps projects in four remote, largely Roma villages:
1) development of a fitness center;
2) renovation of a soccer field;
3) conversion of a classroom into an English culture center;
4) development of an English Resource Room.

7/27 -BAS again funded the Arete Foundation Camp Glow project focused on developing female awareness and leadership skills.

8/10 -BAS continued to fund Integro 's Textbook Revolving Fund, which lends full sets of high school textbooks in required subjects for use by 200 students during the school year. At the end of each academic year, the books are returned to the school library for use by other students.

9/27 -BAS funded the Detstvo Foundation scholarship assistance program for twenty-five Roma students attending universities, and three university/social work students. There were also five Toni Alexandrova Memorial Fund recipients at a special higher level of support.

10/12 -In cooperation with the Bulgarian Charities Aid Foundation, BAS gave scholarships to 10 high school students and 10 university students.  The Toni Alexandrova Memorial Fund awarded scholarships at a higher level to two high school and two university students.

11/12 -BAS supplied funds to the Peace Corps for the support and completion of an interactive classroom project in the village of Ribnova.

11/14 -BAS provided supplementary funding for Detstva's scholarship program.

11/14 -BAS funded major renovation of decrepit bathroom facilities at the Pleven orphanage.

BAS Funded a Computer Lab for Students in Samokov: A Letter from the Peace Corps Volunteer

There have been several points....actually about 5 or 6 times where I reflected upon the computers and thought to myself, "I would not have been able to do this without the computer lab. This is making my job open to more possibilities!"

There are Bulgarian games on each of the computers and the kids (mainly in 5-7 class) work on these games. It helps them with spelling, addition and learning vocabulary. On Wednesday's the school social worker comes to help the kids with this. It still amazes me how many of the kids have trouble with the alphabet, reading and writing. It's a good program for them. The other days I help (since I am there Mon- Fri). I found that the kids wanted 'free time' on the computer so I set some boundaries. First and foremost facebook, vbox and youtube are blocked. They are allowed free time only after they have done something educational. Some learn how to type while others have started a journal project. I made a list of about 20 questions that they need to write about. I tried first having them to type in Bulgarian (as it is the national language), but it was too hard and a few lost motivation. I now give them the option of typing with the Bulgarian alphabet or the English alphabet. It was more important for me to get them reflecting about the given question than what language they typed it in. So before the kids have any free time they have to either type (how to properly type), journal or play the computer games. Through these requirements the kids are learning time management and a reward system (which I don't think they're used to).

The computers have been VERY helpful for my work with the org. I like to use powerpoints to give presentations and having the space and computers has made this possible. With the computers we've worked on: Anti-Human Trafficking, Dental Hygiene and two HIV/AIDS projects. I work on the project at home and then I am able to take it on a flash drive to work. Myself, along with the kids, have benefited SO much from having this computer lab. I am truly grateful to BAS for this.

The next project the kids are working on is doing a world wide Peace Corps map project. We will paint an atlas on one of the white walls in the computer lab. However, I decided to take the project a step further (since there are computers and internet to use) and have the kids work in pairs and research a country of their choosing. They will learn about culture, food, music, and other things of interest to them. Since all kids don't have computers at home, I would not have been able to add an extra educational element to this project (which I think is important).

Best, Johanna Hauck

A Letter from Phillip Snedegar, a Peace Corps Volunteer

My name is Phillip Snedegar and I am a Peace Corps volunteer. I am sending this email on behalf of myself and my host organizations-the Pravets Municipality and "Hristo Botev" Elementary School vl. Dzhurovo, to thank you for you contribution to our renovation/volunteerism project which is being realized by the school. Please consider this an informal thank you as we will prepare a package for your offices in the United States. For now I wanted to send you some words.

We are especially thankful for your generous contribution which is allowing us to begin construction. Without such a large sum we would be faced with waiting for small donations. Your donation allows us to finish the project within the expected deadline and to hold our celebratory soccer tournament. I am personally thankful that the BAS is willing to donate to this project because I invested lots of energy into it. Mostly though we are thankful to you as a team; myself, "Hristo Botev" and the Pravets Municipality.

We will begin preparation of the site and construction next week on 08/29/2011. We would like to invite you to join us for the opening day of work or anytime between the 29th of August and 15th of September. The school begins it's year on the 15th of September and we hope that the project will be completed in time to unveil the stadium.

Please email me if you have any questions or concerns. I will keep the BAS updated with pictures and information as the project continues and finishes. Thank you again for your support!

New Student Computer Center: Samokov

The Bulgarian-American Society, in cooperation with Peace Corps volunteer Katie Filkins, and Katya Daganova, principal of the Neofit Rilski Middle School in Samakov, has provided a new computer center at the school to teach students to navigate the Internet and to learn effective communications skills. We funded renovation of a schoolroom and provided four computers, tables, and chairs. The actual work was completed in record time. The rooms will be strictly supervised and a teacher will be available to instruct individual students.

According to Katie Filkins,

"We were able to finish getting the room set up and the Internet turned on today [March 28], and were able to surprise the first few students with the computers! I am excited to be able to share a few photos with you, and want to express our deepest gratitude for your support over the last couple of years. We are definitely looking forward to seeing the new computer lab be used in efforts toward academic improvement and professional development."

Computer Literacy Project

During 2010, at the recommendation of Board Member Ken Hill, BAS supported a program in which senior Bulgarians in retirement communities developed computer skills which they are teaching to other seniors. This enabled many people in retirement homes to surf the Internet, communicate with family and friends in other cities, and generally become aware of activities and news from the outside world from which they were otherwise excluded.

We recently received a New Years greeting card from the director of this important program -

"Dear Sol and BAS,
In 2010 you opened the doors to the global network, to knowledge and friendship for many senior Bulgarians. Thank you! Happy New Year !

Daniela Bozhinova, Bourgas, Bulgaria Dec. 8, 2010"