F a l l / Wi nter Newsl et ter 2011

This summer was a record-breaking year for One Heart Bulgaria's internship programwith a total of 7 interns traveling to Bulgaria. One of the visions for the internshipprogram is to have interns serving continuously for an extended amount of time sothat the children can have on-going attention and benefit even more from our pro-gram. Thanks to the efforts of our Internship Director, Hollie Anderson, this summerfor the first time interns worked in the Vidrare orphanage from June to August.

Interns serving in the orphanages help with an array of the children’s needs. Theyhelp with projects in the orphanage such as painting and cleaning, and, most impor-tantly, they help the children with schoolwork, play with handicapped children, andmake an impact on the children's lives by providing individual attention and love.

In this issue of the One Heart Bulgaria newsletter, interns report their experiences asthey grew to love the children in Bulgarian orphanages and two stories recount thesuccesses of former orphans who were adopted.

One Heart Bulgaria: Internalizing love Inside This IssueInternship introduction . . .1Eric and Brittney

Marianno . . . . . . . . . . .2Cole Crowther . . . . . . . . .3Nathalie Rosado . . . . . . .4Malea Martin . . . . . . . . . .5The Mandevilles . . . . . . . .6Isabela Kobs . . . . . . . . . .7

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Volume 9 Fa l l /Winter 2011

Interns Tyler Wall and ColeCrowther helped the childrenof Slaveikov orphanage makea “thank you” sign in Englishand Bulgarian to show theirgratitude for the support theyreceive from donors.

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Eric and Brittney Marianno served asinterns in Assenovets. Brittney reports:

Our five week adventure in Bulgaria wasan amazing experience that we willnever forget. The orphanage we lived inwas located in a small village namedAssenovets—basically the middle ofnowhere, but it became somewhere to usas we got to know the villagers, some-times their livestock, and of course thechildren.

There were about 50 children, 30 girlsand 20 boys, all between the ages of 6and 18. When we arrived we found thatthe kids had a few flat balls to play withand almost everything else was broken.Flat balls just wouldn’t do for Eric andso we bought some new ones. We taughtthem good personal hygiene, English,dance, and all kinds of new games. Thekids especially loved learning how toplay baseball, the Hokie Pokie andDown by The Banks. They loved talkingwith Eric in Bulgarian and mimingthings to me until I understood.

Overall, we were able to give five weeksof love to these beautiful children andwhen it was time to come home I wantedto bring them all with me.

The Mariannos report

VOLUME 9 ONE HEART BULGARIA FALL/WINTER 2011, PAGE 3

Tyler Wall and I served in the Slaveikovorphanage in Sofia with a group of about15 kids between the ages of 7 and 11. Ihad an incredible time with the kids andgot to know each of them on such a per-sonal basis.There were a few eight yearold girls that I particularly connected with(Albena, Ruby, and Desi).I became suchgood friends with them that it becamevery difficult to say goodbye.It wastough on the kids as well because theygrew to love us.

I spent each day there besides the week-ends and the majority of my time wasspent playing with them and being theirfriend. They were on break from schoolfor the summer so we did things at thepark, learned how to play basketball andsoccer, played all kinds of games, andread stories. I feel that just spending timewith them made an impact on their lives.They were able to connect with us andsee us as good role models, which issomething they lack. I thoroughlyenjoyed my time with them and grew tolove them as my own nieces or nephews.The days were very flexible and so wehad to be creative and plan activities forthe upcoming days. For example, one daywe took the kids to a museum of animals.It was nice to have so much freedom inwhat we did with the children. Oftenthere was one director with our groupwho was very nice and great with thekids.

Overall I really enjoyed my experienceand it has definitely made an impact inmy life and it was something I’ll neverforget. I grew to really love those kidsand I miss them and think about themregularly. The biggest help for those kidsis to have good influences to help themmake right choices as they get older andeven though I was with them for a shortmonth, I feel I was able to accomplishthat to some degree. Thanks for havinggiven me this opportunity!

Cole Crowther: my experience with One Heart Bulgaria

Donations may be made to helpprospective internsdefray their costs. If you are interestedin helping with thisprogram, pleasemake a donationunder “Internships”on the websiteoneheart-bg.org

Above: Cole (far right) and other interns spend time with Albena, Ruby andDesi at the Slaveikov orphanage.

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For the first five days of my stay in Bulgaria, I livedwith a family in Knazhevo, a neighborhood west ofdowntown Sofia. From the beginning they made sure totake care of me, feed me, and house me even though Ihad just met them. Our host, Temenouchka, made sureeverything she cooked for us was perfect and wouldentertain us with stories of her youth and the communistoppression she experienced as a young girl.

After my stay in Sofia, Elena. Melea and Imade our way to Razliv, a tiny village outsidePravets, about 30 miles from Sofia. Therewere only two stores, one restaurant, and theRazliv orphanage. As we stepped inside theorphanage, kids crowded around us, wantingto touch us, talk to us, and hug us. The threeof us were assigned to take care of twenty orso kids, and we had no idea of what we weregetting ourselves into. Since only one of usspoke Bulgarian, communication was very

difficult. But the children somehow managed to wel-come us and show us around the village, making us takethem on walks and talking endlessly, even though wecould not understand them.

Our work was difficult, and although many times wefelt like they were too rowdy and we were their punch-ing bags, the most difficult part was seeing how thechildren were permanently affected because they knewtheir parents could not or would not take care of them.They were starved for attention. They wanted to beloved, and I hope we gave that to them.

Once a week, we would travel to Vidrare, an orphanagefor children with physical and mental disabilities. It washere our work was the most emotionally draining.Children were crammed into tiny rooms in bunk beds,with as many as ten kids in each room. Although theywere physically disabled, they were often left unsuper-vised. It was so difficult to think about the meaning oftheir existence and the reason why they had to suffer theway they did. In a way, it was a relief that they did notknow of a better life. Because they were so used to whatthey knew, they made the best of it and found happinessin each other’s company. Things we would considersmall made their day. A walk in the afternoon, seeing adonkey on the road, crowding inside the orphanage toavoid a storm, having us there to hold them and playwith them, making them feel like they mattered. Tothem, these were the only things they needed to makelife wonderful.

Nathalie Rosado: they were starved for attention

Nathalie really connected to T eddy , a littleboy who suf fers with cerebral palsy .

Thanks to the interns, children at Razliv orphanage experiencesidewalk chalk for the first time.

VOLUME 9 ONE HEART FOR BULGARIA FALL/WINTER 2011, PAGE 5

Having spent the last year inBulgaria studying at the AmericanUniversity in Bulgaria, I was a bitnervous to go to an unknown villageand work in orphanages. Afterwatching the BBC documentaryBulgaria’sAbandoned Children I felta strong urge to see for myself whatBulgarian orphanages were like.After all, Bulgaria is part of theEuropean Union, how bad could it be?

Upon arriving at the Razliv orphan-age, I was struck by how genuinelyhappy the children seemed to bebecause they had visitors and some-one to pay attention to them. It waswonderful to receive so many hugsand tugs at our clothing becauseeach child wanted our individualattention. While often times itseemed overwhelming to try to giveattention to so many kids, everyday Ileft with a sense of contentment andhappiness that I was able to helpimprove the children’s day.

At the Razliv orphanage we wereexpected to come up with activitiesfor the children to do everyday. Butwhat I found the most difficult aboutthat was the lack of supplies that theorphanage had for the children.Things that we often take for grantedin the United States, such as a packof crayons or a soccer ball, can meana lot to children who have nothing.The other interns and I became verycreative when it came to activities.We played games such as musicalchairs, and duck,duck, goose andtook the children on many walkswhich they really enjoyed. We eventried to play games such as basket-ball but with the language barrier itbecame complicated, but I think thekids enjoyed it nevertheless.

Vidare orphanage for the disabled

was extremely difficult to visit. Thechildren have a variety of disabili-ties, but due to a lack of funding andtraining, don’t receive all the servic-es that they so desperately need.My most difficult moments weredealing with the unpleasant smellfrom unbathed children, who sweatin the poorly ventilated rooms.There’s no air-conditioning or fansso the rooms can get pretty hot inthe middle of summer. We did sim-ple activities with the children suchas taking them on walks and swing-ing them with a blanket whichalways made the kids laugh, espe-cially the ones that were left in theirbeds for the greater part of the day.

I really enjoyed my time interningwith One Heart Bulgaria, and amhappy that I was able to see a side ofBulgaria I previously had not seen. Ifound that Nikolai Gavazov, OBH’sBulgarian director, was a big help tous on our trip, and that he reallycares for the children. Thanks OHBfor this great opportunity!

Malea Martin: I had a strong urge to see for myself

This teenaged boy suf fers from cerebralpalsy and lack of therapy and attention.Interns carried and placed him on a matso he could spend some time outdoors.

Anton & Velizar Mandeville areremarkable young men.Velizar (now21 years old)was almost 4 years oldwhen he was adopted in 1993. Hehad been cared for in the ShumenDom Maika i Dete (Baby Orphanage)since birth. Velizar had a history ofseizures and respiratory infections,but is healthy now. He is now work-ing for Microsoft, attending collegeand plans to go into criminal justice.He has never forgotten those whocared for him in the first years of life.

Anton (now 18) was just 3 years oldwhen he was united withhis adop-tive-family in 1995. He was raisedin the Sofia Baby Orphanage inLozenets until he was 2 years old, &then moved to the Gabrovo BabyOrphanage for 6 months.Anton hada cleft lip and palate, and somespeech and learning issues. He is incollege learning to be a fitness train-er, and competes in body buildingchampionships and varsity baseball.He, too, has strong ties to his heritage.

Anton and Velizar have participatedin many events and activities to raisemoney to “give back” to those leftbehind. They sold candy barsto

benefit One Heart Bulgaria duringtheir local FRUAINC Winterfestevent, Heritage Camp,and at theannual picnic. They have helped withgarage sales to raise money fororphanage supportand collectedclothing to send to orphanages.

In 2006 they had the opportunity tore-visit their “first homes” andbrought needed shoes to the childrenin the Gabrovo and Shumen BabyOrphanages

FRUA INC (Families for Russianand Ukrainian Adoption IncludingNeighboring Countries) is a supportgroup for families who have adoptedfrom, or are in process of adoptingfrom, Eastern Europe and CentralAsia. There are many families whohave adopted from Bulgaria andthere are chapters throughout theUnited States. Besides family net-working and support,orphanagesupport efforts ensure that the chil-dren left behind in the orphanagesare never forgotten. The Washingtonstate chapter has raised money formany orphanage and orphan supportprojects, including a remodelingproject at the Shumen BabyOrphanage.More information aboutFRUA INC can be found on thenational website at http://frua.org/

FaCAB (Families with ChildrenAdopted from Bulgaria) was foundedin 1995 as a family-to-family supportnetwork. The goal of this group is toshare mutual information and supportbetween familieswho have adoptedfrom or are waiting to adopt fromBulgaria. Information about FaCABcan be found on the website athttp://www.orgsites.com/wa/facab/

The Mandeville-W eaver Family , Anton (left),Terry (middle), V elizar (right), Bob (front).

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The Mandeville miracle

VOLUME 9, I SSUE 1 ONE HEART BULGARIA FALL/WINTER 2011, PAGE 7

To all orphans, former orphans, andadoptive parents, I write this to bringyou hope and inspiration! My name isIsabela Kobs but to many I amknown as “Izzy.” I was born inSofia, Bulgaria in 1988. I spent thenext five and half years of my life inan orphanage where food was limitedand where abuse and neglect werepresent. Among older teenage andyoung adult orphans, the suicide,prostitution, drug, and crime rates arevery high. This is very disturbingespecially to me (a former orphan).Despite the living conditions and theheartbreaks I endured, I considermyself one of the lucky ones. Here ismy story:

In 1994, I was adopted by a hard-working American couple fromAdams-Friendship, Wisconsin. Mywhole life changed that year! I wasgiven a second chance at life! I reallydon’t remember much of those daysbut from what my family tells me, itwas quite an adjustment for me andmy parents. To be honest, I don’tknow how they did it! They are my

miracle! My mom and dad have beenmy biggest supporters since... well...forever! They are my rock and mymotivators. Just seeing my parent’swork ethic andtheir success hasmotivated me to want to work harderand has motivated me to want tobecome a better person. I have alwaystold my mom that everything I do Ido for them because I love them and Iowe them my life, not because theydemand or expect it. My parents havespent their entire lives making sacri-fices for me. It’s time I return thefavor.

I know I still have a long way to goto reach the pedestal my parents areon! I just pray to God that one day Ican be half of what they are. I wouldlove to have my mother’s strength!She is the strongest person I haveever met! I would also love to havemy father’s humor. He can make any-body laugh at any given moment. Iwould also love to have my parents’wisdom. They both are welleducatedand are very smart. Did I mentionthat they both have big hearts as

well!?! I am doingwhat I am todaybecause of myfamily.

So, here I amnow. I am 22years old, I stud-ied criminal jus-tice at SaintMary’s Universityof Minnesota. Ifinished collegeinterning with theDept. of Justice(Interpol) inWashington D.C.It has been anamazing experi-ence. I have trulygrown as a stu-

dent and as an individual. In May, Igraduated from Saint Mary’sUniversity. This has been a dream ofmine ever since I was little. I was toldby some that I would never be able toattend a four year University – schoolwas never easy for me; as a matter offact it was very difficult. I was deter-mined to show everyone that I coulddo it! With the love and guidance ofmy parents and my professors I wasable to make it on the Dean’s list andhave had a very successful collegecareer. My hope is to one day be aUnited States Marshal; with my edu-cation and my internship opportuni-ties, I am well on my way!

In conclusion, I want to share part ofmy philosophy on life. “You have tolet go of the past hardships to movetowards your dreams!” This can be abig challenge but if you focus on thegifts and opportunities God providesfor you, it can be done. God gave mea loving family, a new life, andopportunities. I know if I had dwelt inmy past I would have missed out onmy future. I want to offer support andguidance to anyone who has ques-tions about international adoptions,contributing to orphans in Bulgaria orthe challenges of adoptees and theirfamilies. Please feel free to contactme iskobs06@smumn.edu.

Isabella offers inspiration

Isabelamet her

futureparentsin 1992

http://www