From September 1 to 8, 2024, a volunteer initiative called MlaDoS, organized by ADRA Bulgaria and the Youth Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bulgaria, took place in the small village of Taimishte, Bulgaria. Over 30 volunteers participated in efforts to improve the living conditions for two large families in need.

In the village of Taimishte, residents face a juxtaposition of beauty and hardship. The village, known for its natural scenery, also harbors a less picturesque reality—numerous old, poorly maintained houses still occupied by local families struggling to make ends meet.

Among these residents is the family of Bekir, a local farmworker who, despite his hard labor at the edge of the village, cannot afford the necessary repairs to improve his family's living conditions. Living in a dilapidated house, Bekir's three children, aged between three and nine, share rooms in an environment far from suitable for young children. The situation in Taimishte highlights a broader issue of rural poverty and the challenges of providing adequate living conditions in less developed areas.

After research in different parts of the country, ADRA Bulgaria contacted the Antonovo Municipality and the Taimishte Town Hall, having identified Bekir's family and another family as needing major house repairs. The purpose of the quest was to determine where ADRA should hold the annual MlaDoS program, which raises funds and gathers volunteers from across the country to improve living conditions for families in need.

The MlaDoS program (abbreviation of “Youth” in Bulgarian) stands for "Youth Voluntary Service" and brings together young people and craftsmen who dedicate a week of their time in renovating a family's house. It is aimed at youth, but everyone is welcome. The selected families are often large households with small children who have an urgent need to improve their living conditions.

"The families we help live in poor living conditions due to low income or many children. They live in old buildings, very often the houses have no sanitary facilities and people live in extreme poverty," commented Marian Dimitrov, executive director of ADRA Bulgaria.

Thirty volunteers arrived in Taimishte with the desire to do the most urgent repair work for the two families for a week. An internal bathroom and toilet are being built in both houses, which have not been available before. One house gets a new roof and the other gets new windows and renovated rooms. A day after the work began, the roof was removed and construction of the new one was underway; the sewers have been laid and the work is proceeding with impressive speed.

"My motivation to join the MlaDoS program is that we can help a family. I am here with my wife and our nine-year-old son, who also helps. I want my child to have a desire to help people and to understand that it is much more valuable when you do something for another person rather than only for yourself," says volunteer Nikolay Karadjov.

Camelia is a participant in the program for the third year and shares that one of the most emotional moments for her is when she sees the joy in people's eyes. "Helping is a good thing and brings me great joy. As much as it brings happiness to the families, I think twice as much to me, and seeing their smiles is a very satisfying feeling," says Camelia.

Marian Dimitrov commented that after MlaDoS the volunteers are motivated to do good and make a change in their environment and community.

"Young people come back not only with tired and sore hands, but there is a much deeper meaning for them. This is where friendships, belonging and awareness are created. After the MlaDoS program, young people become more active, more responsible, more inspired and motivated. They grow up here," says Dimitrov.

At the end of the week's work, all the goals set for the volunteers have been met, and there is even time left to decorate the children's rooms with beautiful nature illustrations. The families themselves also contribute to the quick working process – everyone, from the youngest to the oldest family members, gets involved to help and provide food and support to the volunteers.

"You made us very happy, I have no words to express my gratitude and joy. Thanks to your whole team!” Bekir says.

The MlaDoS program is implemented with the support and cooperation of the municipalities and town halls, and the funds for the repair activities are raised with voluntary donations from people and construction companies that provide materials. If you want to be part of the MlaDoS program or donate to the initiative, follow the ADRA Bulgaria website for the next program.

The original article was published on the Inter-European Division website.