A van for a dignified life: Surya Foundation donates transport for the Sheltered Home in Strazhitsa

In 2025, the Surya Foundation carried out one of its most meaningful social missions so far — donating a van for the Sheltered Home for adults with intellectual disabilities in Strazhitsa. This isn't just a vehicle; it's a real answer to a long-standing problem that limited the freedom, access and dignity of the people who live there.
For the eight residents of the sheltered home, getting to a doctor, a therapist or even a short outing was for a long time extremely difficult. In a town with no hospital and limited public transport, every trip depended on outside help, availability and luck. Not having their own transport meant missed opportunities, isolation and extra strain on the team that cares for them every day.
This is exactly the reality that drove us to start a campaign to buy a van. The goal was clear — to provide a safe, comfortable and dignified way to get around, tailored to the real needs of people with intellectual challenges and mobility difficulties. The road there wasn't short, but the support we received showed just how strong a community can be when there's a clear cause behind it.
Today the van is real. The donated vehicle is a Volkswagen Crafter Maxi with three doors, fitted with eight movable seats and one permanent space for a wheelchair. By rearranging the seats, the space can hold up to three wheelchair spots, and the electric ramp makes getting in and out safe and easy. That means the van is fully adapted to the home's needs and can be used every day without any compromise on comfort or safety.
The van will make it possible to access regular healthcare and therapy, take part in social activities and enjoy more freedom in daily life. This is a change that isn't measured only in kilometres, but in quality of life, peace of mind and human dignity.
Special thanks go to Zlatko Bonev, who supported us through the process of importing and preparing the van. Thanks to his help, the vehicle was adapted so that it truly meets the needs of the people in the sheltered home. His support was key in getting the van ready to serve fully from day one.
A heartfelt thank you to every donor, big and small, who believed in the cause and helped make this campaign happen. A special thank you also to Charity Saga for organising the charity party, which played a key role in raising a large share of the funds we needed.
Donating the van for the Sheltered Home in Strazhitsa is one more piece of proof that sustainable social campaigns take time, consistency and a lot of effort — but they lead to real, lasting change. For us, it's a reminder of why we keep doing what we do.
What did we achieve?
The Surya Foundation successfully ran one of its biggest and most demanding campaigns to date — buying and donating a van for the Sheltered Home for adults with intellectual disabilities in Strazhitsa. With this van, we've provided a long-awaited answer to a real, everyday problem — the lack of accessible, safe transport for eight people for whom mobility isn't something you can take for granted. The campaign took time, persistence and a lot of effort, but today the result is here. This is a change that will be felt every single day.
How did the campaign go?
The campaign began with a clear understanding of the need and with an open conversation about the reality the people in the sheltered home live in. In an area without a hospital and with limited transport options, every trip was a serious challenge. Thanks to donors, partners and people who stood behind the cause, we managed to raise the funds we needed and go through the whole process of choosing, buying and preparing the van. The Surya Foundation team was involved at every step — from the first appeal to the actual handover.