Christmas in a Box for children and young people without parents

The whole campaign was initiated by the Bulgarian Yoga Association and is delivered in partnership with the Surya Foundation.
A special thank-you to all the donors who became real Santa's elves and gave their time and money to buy and wrap individual gifts for each child, so we could deliver them on their behalf — and to everyone whose donations supported the campaign.
Family-type care home and Transitional Home in Vratsa
Both social services are managed by the same director.
The Family-type care home houses 14 young people with disabilities.
The Transitional Home is home to 5 young people aged 16 to 18.
The children and the teams at the social services were waiting for us with so much joy. One of the young people at the home greeted us dressed as Santa Claus and, with his own brand of humour, set a great mood.
We — the elves of the Surya Foundation and the Bulgarian Yoga Association — arranged the gifts under the tree. Before everyone got their present, other young people from the Centre put on a programme of songs, poems and even a guitar performance of the children's song “My dear mum”.
Santa, with help from the director of the social services, handed out each child's gift personally. The excitement and happiness of the children at getting their personal wishes fulfilled was overwhelming.
The social workers at the services were waiting for us with a generous table of home-cooked food prepared specially for us — thank you.
Carrying out the charity campaign was a real celebration for everyone!

Family-type care homes 1, 2 and 3 in Veliko Tarnovo
Family-type care home 1 houses 14 young people with disabilities. Care home 2 houses 13 children and young people, and care home 3 — 11 children and young people who are without parental care. They're all like one big family. The youngest children are currently 8 years old and have been part of this social service since they were 3.
The twenty-four children without disabilities were waiting for the Surya Foundation and Bulgarian Yoga Association team with obvious excitement. One by one, they got their gifts and waited eagerly for each other. They also received a special cake, provided by a kind-hearted donor — it had travelled all the way from Lovech!
There was so much laughter, jumping for joy and excitement. The children pulled out their toys and we started figuring out together how each one works, while others were thrilled with their new clothes.
With the young people with disabilities, the joy was every bit as big. As soon as we handed out the gifts, balls were flying around the room, music instruments and toys that sing songs and tell stories filled the air.
Happiness grows when you share it!

Sheltered Home for adults with intellectual disabilities, Strazhitsa
There are 8 young people at the Sheltered Home for adults with intellectual disabilities.
They're some of the most joyful, energising “kids” in the “Christmas in a Box” campaign.
They had prepared a long programme of songs and dances for us, but their excitement about the gifts won out and we shortened the programme quite a bit. We spent a lot of time with them enjoying the gifts together — putting them together, testing them and so much more.
We also danced together, sang together, painted together… and gave lots of hugs!
As we were leaving, the children (we call them that because they'll always be children to us) gave us little gifts in return and a home-baked cake. These are the moments that hold the meaning and the reward for every effort we put into pulling off each campaign!

Samokov
Christmas gifts were given to 10 children from the Family-type care home in Samokov. The children, aged 3 to 18, received personally chosen gifts tailored to their wishes. These included bracelets, necklaces, dolls, punch bags and dresses. Each of them got their dream gift. As a thank-you, the children had prepared a Christmas programme of songs and dances, which added to the festive mood.
Let's keep creating moments of joy and hope together!

Gavril Genovo village
With real care and attention, Christmas gifts were handed out to the children at the Family-type care home for children and young people without disabilities in Gavril Genovo village.
We successfully fulfilled the wishes of the nine children at the home. Each of them got a personally picked gift, matching their individual dreams and needs.
The children delighted us not only with their genuine smiles, but with recitations of Christmas poems they had prepared with great inspiration. Their words and joy made the celebration even more touching and unforgettable.
Let's keep making dreams come true and bringing light into children's lives, together!