Varna Orphanage Fire Destroys Furnace and Storage Area

*** Update as of 3/21/2011*** Thank you to our clients, their friends & family Tree of Life has raised just over $500. Please continue to share the information so that we can continue to help this orphanage ***

On February 18 of this year (2011) there was a large fire in the Varna orphanage in Bulgaria. The Varna orphanage, under the Directorship of Dr. Dzhnakova (pronounced Dr. Jenkova) typically cares for 150 children between the ages of 0-3. Thankfully, Dr. Dzhnakova, the staff and all children are safe and while not in the ‘regular’ living quarters, are able to stay in a part of the orphanage.The fire destroyed the furnace department and the storage area; they have been without heat up until this past week. Due to the generosity of one of the Bulgarian adoption agencies, a diesel burner was installed as a ‘bandage’ until funding can be brought together to assist in the complete renovation. The loss of the storage area is tragic: in this area all new beds/bedding/blankets/sheets,diapers, wet wipes, shoes, clothes, pajamas, socks, undershirts, sleepers, walkers, Exersaucer’s, some food(non perishables) , water…..essentially everything needed to care for children birth to three years of age was stored in that room and nothing is salvageable.

In the past eleven years many many Tree of Life families have been blessed by a child coming home from Varna. The care is stellar; many of the medically needy children stay here as Dr. Dzhankova level of medical knowledge is excellent along with this being a large orphanage with a large staff. Tree of Life’s staff member, Kay Montes and her family were blessed by their twin daughters having lived at the Varna orphanage until they came home in 2004. This orphanage is very dear to us and we will be actively working to see that all needs are met to have the orphanage at its best once again. Along with repairs the children are in urgent need of shoes, clothes, walkers for the kids, diapers, wet wipes, etc. The total
damage to the orphanage is estimated at 100,000 leva which is about $70,600 in US dollars.

We feel that this is a very attainable goal from Tree of Life and our extended family of clients, neighbors, past adoptive families, our respective church affiliations, school fund raising and the children home from Varna themselves.

We have attached some very dark photos that are all that we have available at this time. However, as of next week, we will have video and more details. In the mean time, if you feel that you would like to assist, please utilize the DONATE button below. All funds should be indicated specific to Varna Fire.