Maria Luiza Orphanage

Maria Luiza Orphanage for children from 0 to 3 years-old is situated in the village of Buzovgrad (near Kazanlak) and has the physical capacity to provide care for 103 children with mild to severe multiple disabilities. The Cedar Foundation helped improve the immediate quality of care in the institution for the period 2006-2010 by:

• Providing an air conditioning system at the cost of 20 000 leva for filtering and cleaning the air in 2nd ward.
• Providing staff training in physio therapy methods of work with the children with physical disabilities aimed at supporting them to be more independent.
• Providing staff training in Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for improving the skills of the children to communicate their needs and desires.
• Organizing groups of volunteers to do renovations throughout the whole institution.
• Organizing groups of non-professionals to interact with the children and bring them positive social experience.

In 2009 The Cedar Foundation in partnership with the management of Maria Luiza Orphanage opened Daycare center Buzovgrad with a capacity to provide daily care and therapy for 8 children. Cedar’s involvement in the work on the completion of this project was in several aspects:

• Financial contribution in the amount of 8 000 BGN.
• Provision of additional materials and equipment for the years 2009 -2010.
• Provision of salaries for 4 staff members (a psychologist, a physiotherapist and two carers).