This is a story about a child who grew up with dreams, some of which they have already experienced, and others that they have yet to fulfill as a young adult. G was placed in residential care as his grandmother could no longer care for him, causing him to feel abandoned and neglected. 

He liked us and wished to join – he had only heard about us from other children who visited the center and had seen us once. Since the day we first met, we noticed a strong desire in him to seek friendship, emulate us, and gain strength from us. As a result, we had numerous discussions, and group conversations, organized birthdays together, and participated in camps where he was an active member. 

In the next phase, we began searching for a suitable girl to start a family with. She was a child who grew up before our eyes, and we spent holidays together throughout the year, including camps during almost every vacation. We observed the special joy that the teenagers felt when they saw each other, and we advised and initiated possible meetings for them to get to know each other better. When they finished school, the plan to start a family followed, and they came together to face the challenges of life. He has always sought and still seeks advice and perspective, knowing that to grow, he needs people who know him, whom he can trust, and, in his words, “learn from.” When asked how he recognizes us and what he sees in us, he answered: family and an example – that’s what he needs. 

We were there for him when he discovered that he had lived with the thought that his mother had died and had visited a grave that turned out not to be hers. Those were heavy emotional moments, but he overcame them with our help. He is now working and studying. 

As for his relationship with his girlfriend, they have come to a point where they need to decide where they will live. We reached out to some friends with an offer of an apartment for rent, which was conveniently located near us, so they could visit whenever they wanted. Later, we even helped them celebrate their wedding by preparing a photo story of their special day. We decorated a beautiful place for them and made sure their guests felt welcomed and comfortable. As godparents and advisors to the couple, we continued to support them and their newly formed circle of colleagues and friends.

At the Agapedia Plovdiv Foundation, we strive to help every child who comes to us, providing them with the support they need. We value every piece of advice and model we receive, and over time we can see the impact of our efforts on the lives of those we help.