Make a difference for only 5 nights!
Next trips scheduled for April and May 2008
Day 1 - Arrive in Bulgaria late afternoon, we will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel in the town, where you will be staying. You will have time to refresh and unpack; dinner will be in a local restaurant.
Day 2 - A very important day! We would have breakfast in the hotel followed by induction in the town and you will also receive a brief lesson in Bulgarian with the phrase book - "Hi!", "Thank you!" and etc. Lunch we are going to have in town, followed by your first visit to the orphanage - meeting the kids, playing some creative games with them, getting used to the atmosphere of the orphanage. Dinner will be in traditional Bulgarian restaurant.
Day 3 - Breakfast will be in the hotel; and we will spend the whole day in the orphanage where you will be able to start your own personal project - this will be something permanent that you will leave behind you after you leave - for instance it can include repainting a corridor, a bedroom or a living room and drawing wonderful images on the walls (these can easily be projected on the wall with an OHP, and then outlined and coloured), repainting playground equipment, planting flowers and bushes in the yard, etc. Alternatively you can simply interact with the children, showing them new games or teaching them a new skill. Lunch will be sandwiches in the orphanage and after that you will be able to continue working on your project. Dinner will be in the town where the hotel is.
Day 4 - Breakfast in the hotel and then go the orphanage where we will continue the work on your own project. Lunch - sandwiches. Dinner - in town.
Day 5 - Breakfast in the hotel and go the orphanage where we shall finish your project and then a little concert will be put for you by the children and you will have the unique chance to learn how to play the Bulgarian national dance - "Horo", which is magnificent to watch! This is your last day with the children, so we say "Goodbye" late afternoon and go up in the mountains to a medieval orthodox monastery, where you will spend your last night in Bulgaria, having the time to think and evaluate on the experience. Dinner will be in traditional restaurant near the monastery.
Day 6 - After breakfast we start our journey back to Sofia. Depending on your flight time - a guided tour around Sofia can be arranged. We will take you to the airport on time for your flight.
The details:
Minimum number of participants
Please note that this is a group event and there must a minimum of 5 people for this challenge to be started - these can be you friends, colleagues, relatives or simply members of your cricket club. We can give you advice and guidance as to how to promote the idea and recruit new people.
In case you are entirely on your own - we can also put you in contact with other individuals in order to form a group - after all this can be a great way to meet new friends!
Next trips for people who would like to volunteer individually scheduled for April and May 2008 - check the bottom of this page for more details.
Fundraising
We ask everyone taking part in this trip to pay a registration fee of £100 and then raise an additional minimum of £500 in sponsorship. Your registration fee is payable upon your registration. 80% of the sponsorship money (£400) must be paid to Bhagavat Educational Trust 6 weeks before departure, and the final 20% (£100) must be paid one week before departure.
Please do not panic about raising this amount; we will give you lots of ideas and support once you sign up. Once you start planning, you’ll be amazed at how easily the money adds up; a quiz night could raise £400, curry nights in your local restaurant could raise £200, a summer fete could raise £500 and a ticketed party in a local hall with entertainment, pay bar and raffle could raise £800. If you would like more advice on fundraising before signing up to the event, please contact our team on Bulgaria@bhagavat.org.uk You can also visit the very helpful Fundraising ideas section on our website.
What is included?
The event is organised entirely by Bhagavat Educational Trust. The tour cost includes all internal transport in Bulgaria, all accommodation and food, tour leaders and ground support. It does not include the travel from the UK to Bulgaria and personal travel insurance. You will also need to ensure you have a valid passport, insurance and appropriate vaccinations. We will send you details on how to do all of this, and will also send you a kit list. We can also give you advice about the cheapest flights available. You will also need to bring spending money; a maximum of £100-150 is recommended.
Food and accommodation
The food is fantastic and there is plenty of it; breakfast will be some form of eggs, sometimes porridge, bread, butter and jam. Lunches will be mainly sandwiches, while dinners will be combinations of main meals consisting of meats, fish, vegetables, pasta, rice, soup, salads, bread and fruit. Local soft and alcoholic drinks will be provided throughout with hot drinks available at breakfast and with the main meal.
What kinds of people take part in this event?
All kinds! People from all walks of life take part in these types of events; providing you are enthusiastic and up for a challenge then the event is definitely for you! Families, friends and teams are welcome.
What is the sponsorship money used for?
In order for us to take advantage of economies of scale and to ensure you receive the best possible prices and discounts we would naturally arrange and pay for all transportation, book hotels, food and drinks, collection to and from the airport and the orphanage, arrange for translators, meet and discuss the requirements with the directors of the orphanage, provide you with a information pack on Bulgaria and that particular orphanage and be hear should you require us for advise etc.
The cost for the above based upon a party of 5 for 5 nights and six days would be £100 registration fee each and later £500 each to cover all of the above; any surplus would be reinvested in our projects such as this project.
You would need to arrange your own ticket and travel insurance.
In case you are not a group of 5 but would like to volunteer on your own - we can put you in contact with other individuals in order to form a group. Next trips scheduled for such groups are in April and May 2008.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
REGISTRATION FORM
CASE STUDY
(This is the true story of a young 25 years old man from London, having already been through our team challenges in Bulgaria)
