Our Volunteers

Peter and Bridget Charlesworth (special education teachers), UK

“We first heard of the Cedar Foundation through some friends in the UK who support their work. We arranged a visit to see some of the areas in which Cedar are working and were instantly hooked! As trained professionals in the field of education and social integration for people with special needs, we are working alongside the Foundation on a voluntary basis, advising on strategies and techniques to manage and educate the residents of the Kyustendil project, developing the service that the Foundation provides. We really feel like part of the team and we’re so excited to be working alongside such passionate and like-minded people to provide a better future for those with special needs in Bulgaria.”
Bridget and Peter Charlesworth are both special needs teachers from England who have extensive experience working with young people with mild, severe and profound learning needs. They both have trained and worked at an ‘outstanding’ special school in Essex previous to volunteering with The Cedar Foundation.

Silvia Ognyanova (mainstream teacher), Bulgaria

Last summer gave me the opportunity to take part in a volunteer initiative in the town of Kyustendil, organized by the Cedar Foundation. I was given the chance to be at a place where the children needed support, social interaction and a smile. I wouldn’t say I did much for them but for the time I was there I hope they felt calmer and more confident. The steps they are taking seem to be little but this is the ground that motivates the people working with them to go on doing that. These people were smiley and probably find their strength in the spontaneous joy in the eyes of the children and young people and in the support they receive from generous people. They probably find the strength in the moments of happiness such as the one I felt this summer.”
Silvia is 24-year-old young lady from the Bulgarian town of Varna. She has a degree in Accountancy but has been working as a mainstream teacher of Roma children for the last three years. In 2011 she joins an NGO focused on the social inclusion of these children.

Tom Kirk (film maker), UK

“Following the activities of the Cedar Foundation with a video camera several times throughout the summer of 2011 has been a great experience for me. It was a complete privilege to spend time with both the young people and the staff coordinating and providing their care. I can’t begin to fully grasp from my brief involvement exactly what these young people experience in the process of adapting from their former institutionalised way of life. As a parent, I enjoy participating in each stage of my own child’s development. It has been funny and moving to recognise my own experiences in the positive progress and development of the young people who benefit from the care and understanding provided by the Cedar Foundation. The joy and bewilderment of new and varied experiences are for me reflected in the simple and profound discoveries enabled every day by the intelligent, experienced and caring work of the Cedar Foundation staff, visitors and volunteers.”
 Tom Kirk makes, exhibits and loves cinema and the arts. Leaving an exciting job at Film London to move to Bulgaria, he has spent the last 2 years regularly filming a Sofia Ambulance crew at work, alongside work for the Sofia Film Fest, Water Tower Art Fest, Mission London, Crooked Cinema, etc.

Mariela Balcheva, PR & Marketing Executive, Hilton Sofia, Bulgaria

„I had the unique chance to discover the magic floating around the Cedar foundation.
I was part of several activities (Pub Quizzes) related with fundraising and I can say that this was one of the most exiting experiences in my life.
The most special event was my visit in the town of Kyustendil, organized by the Cedar Foundation. We did a special Donation day, when every TM could donate toys, books, clothes and household utensils. We have gathered many, many things. We went there to visit them.
First the representatives of The Cedar foundation showed us the old orphanage. Then we went to visit the kids. They were really great!!!
There is a child called Evgeni, who has cerebral palsy. However, he is always smiling. He really melted my heart.
All the kids were eager to interact with us. Their interest was so real, their smiles were heart-melting.
This was the moment when I realized what amazing care Cedar is giving to these young people. I can say that Cedar Foundation is not only taking cake and providing homes and food but they are sharing love and attention, they are thinking for the future and they feel themselves responsible for the life of these young people with disabilities.
All our actions won’t be possible without the support of the Hilton Sofia and Hilton in the community foundation.
Cedar’s activities are nobly and I am more than happy that I am part of it now.
I realize that I cannot donate big amounts of money but I can give all my love and passion to spread around the idea of supporting Cedar Foundation.”
Mariela was born and lives in Sofia.