When Stella Canfield visited her country of birth in 1989, nine years after her escape from communist Bulgaria, by chance of destiny she stumbled onto an orphanage in a village called Barzitsa, a one-hour drive from the Black Sea coastal city of Varna. There were approximately 90 children in the orphanage, aged from 6 to 18, living in very basic conditions. Without the warmth of parental love, most of the children’s development was stunted. At the age of 18 they were required to leave the home ... most without any skills or places to live. The statistics show that 75 percent of them would eventually turn to the streets or lives of crime. The children’s behavior evoked negative feelings and rejection from the people of the village. Stella promised herself one day to do something about it.
In 200l, after over a year of tiresome paperwork, Stellar Arts Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization was born. The purpose of the foundation is to raise funds and finance projects for children in need.
In the following years, the foundation provided for minor building repairs, education needs and excursions for the children in the orphanage.
In the summer of 2005, two college students from Coupeville, Washington spent two months in the orphanage helping SAF projects. They fell in love with the children!
Also in 2005, with the advice of Dr. Jill Cole of Seattle (the liaison for Bulgaria and Serbia with The Worldwide Orphans Foundation in New York www.orphandoctor.com) Stellar Arts Foundation launched a project called “Home for Our Children”. The project was based on a program developed by Dr. Cole and two Bulgarian psychologists, Mitko and Jivka Novkovi.
In February of 2006, the project “Home for Our Children” was launched. SAF engaged a part-time psychologist in the home of Barzitsa, a computer specialist and four retired women from the village. They created afternoon activities in computer skills, sewing, painting, cooking, knitting, traditional dancing, history and culture. The children were allowed to select the subject of their liking. They eagerly responded to learning new skills, and bonded with the elderly ladies, whom they now call “Baba”, which means “grandma” in Bulgarian. These wonderfully capable older people were impoverished by the inflation caused by the transition from communism to democracy. Working with the children in the orphanage renewed their sense of purpose. In return the constant presence of loving adults gives the children a sense of family. They became a vital part of the project. The project helped the two most affected segments of the society: the children and the elderly.
As a result of the project “Home for Our Children” the behavior of the children improved greatly, which caused tremendous positive change in the atmosphere of the home. Many activities and celebrations were organized together with the villagers. The relationship between the people of the village Barzitsa and the children from the orphanage was working in a positive direction giving the children a better chance to integrate into society and have a sense of belonging.
Later SAF started a Saturday program in the near town of Provadiya for teenagers. The program was designed to introduce the children to life outside the orphanage. We exposed them to various business entities, educational institutions and cultural activities. They were instructed on how to complete applications for work and to write formal letters. We hired a psychologist and a social worker to assist the children to achieve these skills. This was geared toward the successful transition of the children into the current world after the years of institutionalization.
In 2007 Bulgaria entered the European Union and is now adopting the foster home approach familiar to us in the USA. This year the orphanage is closing its doors and moving the children into new life of a new structure. We are hopeful that they will be better cared for!
The mission of Stellar Arts Foundation continues; today we support children and youth in need living with their impoverished Roma families. Educating the children and helping the families become self sufficient.
In 200l, after over a year of tiresome paperwork, Stellar Arts Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization was born. The purpose of the foundation is to raise funds and finance projects for children in need.
In the following years, the foundation provided for minor building repairs, education needs and excursions for the children in the orphanage.
In the summer of 2005, two college students from Coupeville, Washington spent two months in the orphanage helping SAF projects. They fell in love with the children!
Also in 2005, with the advice of Dr. Jill Cole of Seattle (the liaison for Bulgaria and Serbia with The Worldwide Orphans Foundation in New York www.orphandoctor.com) Stellar Arts Foundation launched a project called “Home for Our Children”. The project was based on a program developed by Dr. Cole and two Bulgarian psychologists, Mitko and Jivka Novkovi.
In February of 2006, the project “Home for Our Children” was launched. SAF engaged a part-time psychologist in the home of Barzitsa, a computer specialist and four retired women from the village. They created afternoon activities in computer skills, sewing, painting, cooking, knitting, traditional dancing, history and culture. The children were allowed to select the subject of their liking. They eagerly responded to learning new skills, and bonded with the elderly ladies, whom they now call “Baba”, which means “grandma” in Bulgarian. These wonderfully capable older people were impoverished by the inflation caused by the transition from communism to democracy. Working with the children in the orphanage renewed their sense of purpose. In return the constant presence of loving adults gives the children a sense of family. They became a vital part of the project. The project helped the two most affected segments of the society: the children and the elderly.
As a result of the project “Home for Our Children” the behavior of the children improved greatly, which caused tremendous positive change in the atmosphere of the home. Many activities and celebrations were organized together with the villagers. The relationship between the people of the village Barzitsa and the children from the orphanage was working in a positive direction giving the children a better chance to integrate into society and have a sense of belonging.
Later SAF started a Saturday program in the near town of Provadiya for teenagers. The program was designed to introduce the children to life outside the orphanage. We exposed them to various business entities, educational institutions and cultural activities. They were instructed on how to complete applications for work and to write formal letters. We hired a psychologist and a social worker to assist the children to achieve these skills. This was geared toward the successful transition of the children into the current world after the years of institutionalization.
In 2007 Bulgaria entered the European Union and is now adopting the foster home approach familiar to us in the USA. This year the orphanage is closing its doors and moving the children into new life of a new structure. We are hopeful that they will be better cared for!
The mission of Stellar Arts Foundation continues; today we support children and youth in need living with their impoverished Roma families. Educating the children and helping the families become self sufficient.
..more history
During a plane ride back from California in December 2006, Stella read an article about the Rhythmic Arts Project (www.traponline.com); Through rhythm of drum beats, children learn basic skills, communication, and work toward healing emotional and/or behavior problems. Stella called the U.S. founder, Eddie Tuduri, and the arrangement for Eddie's visit to Bulgaria was made. Thanks to our generous donors, the foundation purchased two sets of percussion instruments needed for the program.
Eddie arrived in August, and worked with the children in our orphanage for the first week. Then Stella and Eddie drove to the village of Petrovo, in the furthest southwest corner of Bulgaria, to a home for severely disabled children. SAF donated one of the set of instruments to the home and Eddie successfully introduced the project there.
The children in both homes responded very enthusiastically to the Rhythmic Project.
During a plane ride back from California in December 2006, Stella read an article about the Rhythmic Arts Project (www.traponline.com); Through rhythm of drum beats, children learn basic skills, communication, and work toward healing emotional and/or behavior problems. Stella called the U.S. founder, Eddie Tuduri, and the arrangement for Eddie's visit to Bulgaria was made. Thanks to our generous donors, the foundation purchased two sets of percussion instruments needed for the program.
Eddie arrived in August, and worked with the children in our orphanage for the first week. Then Stella and Eddie drove to the village of Petrovo, in the furthest southwest corner of Bulgaria, to a home for severely disabled children. SAF donated one of the set of instruments to the home and Eddie successfully introduced the project there.
The children in both homes responded very enthusiastically to the Rhythmic Project.
