Phil Devine with one happy youngster.
THE fiercest rugby tackle in the world couldn’t match the force of affection of the children at the orphanage in Mihaltsi as they greeted their visitors – a touring British forces rugby club from Cyprus.
Their welcome last Thursday was more than physically overwhelming for the guests, however. There are 50 abandoned children at the home – aged three to 10, and all have learning disabilities.
The Stags, a tri-service team, had chosen Bulgaria as the destination for their annual tour this year. Spurred by the desire to give something back to their host country they spent the last nine months raising more than $4,000 for the orphanage near Veliko Turnovo, the country’s old capital in central Bulgaria.
Stags chairman Taff Thomas said: “If the lads could have seen the kids’ faces beforehand they would have raised even more money! It was so overwhelming – some of the lads were bawling!”
The older children put on a dance display for their 22 heroes, so upbeat and animated that one Stag, Kev Cooney, couldn’t control his feet and dashed to join one of the circles performing a variation the Twist. Not a problem for such a well-rehearsed bunch of performers – they led their newcomer skillfully through the steps.
The Stags were likewise thrilled when they noticed that one of the younger children, be it coincidence or otherwise, was wearing a top in their colours – black and yellow.
They delivered a Pentium PC with printer, a desk, a chair, a fax machine, two washing machines, a television and video recorder, videos and a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, bought with the money they had raised. They also delivered a collection of toys so fine they found some of the items, like the electric guitar, quite difficult to part with, and six boxes of clothes.
Most of the money had been raised through a charity auction and a sportathon although a percentage came from other sources, including fines for things like turning up to matches with dirty boots or drunk. They declined to divulge any other examples of fineable offences.
They selected the home with the help of an organisation called Orphan Care, which is one of its sponsors. Its founder and chief executive Lisa Collins, who is from Atlanta, Georgia, accompanied the group to Mihaltsi.
She said: “When you get more remote from Sofia you usually see there’s a stronger need. Also, the babies’ orphanages usually get a lot more attention and donations.
“We suggested this home because we wanted one where the children would be old enough to see and really appreciate the rugby team – and the children were just delighted.”
Lisa Collins and her husband set up Orphan Care after their 15-year-old son died in an accident.
They chose to adopt an orphan – a baby girl from Russia named Brandy – and their visits to Russian orphanages moved them to explore what they could to help other abandoned children. She said: “Whenever you come and you see these children and their needs, it’s very overwhelming.”
Lisa was due to meet some people in Sofia the next day who were about to adopt their 17th child!
The director of the area’s special needs homes was also present for the Stags’ visit.
The children go to a different orphanage until they are three and then, if their parents either reject them or are genuinely unable to care for them they go on to the home for older children, she said. After the age of 10 there is yet a further home which takes them up to the age of 18. Then a home for adults awaits – to which visitors seldom come.
Fortunately, this network of homes is a pattern of care which is now beginning to change in Bulgaria, she said. “The plan is actually to close homes like this and move towards foster care and day care centres.”
The Stags’ rugby hosts were the National Sports Academy club, who lined up two matches for them – against a student team and the premiership-winning side, plus a seven-aside tournament.
Back in Sofia, the team was thanked emphatically for its charity endeavours by ambassador Richard Stagg at the embassy club – the Stag’s Head – where a reception had been laid on for them.
The Stags whipped their songbook out and for a while it seemed as though a chorus of angels had taken over the club. As long as you didn’t listen too carefully to the lyrics. All together now: “We’re the boys who work in the tampax factory...”
Their welcome last Thursday was more than physically overwhelming for the guests, however. There are 50 abandoned children at the home – aged three to 10, and all have learning disabilities.
The Stags, a tri-service team, had chosen Bulgaria as the destination for their annual tour this year. Spurred by the desire to give something back to their host country they spent the last nine months raising more than $4,000 for the orphanage near Veliko Turnovo, the country’s old capital in central Bulgaria.
Stags chairman Taff Thomas said: “If the lads could have seen the kids’ faces beforehand they would have raised even more money! It was so overwhelming – some of the lads were bawling!”
The older children put on a dance display for their 22 heroes, so upbeat and animated that one Stag, Kev Cooney, couldn’t control his feet and dashed to join one of the circles performing a variation the Twist. Not a problem for such a well-rehearsed bunch of performers – they led their newcomer skillfully through the steps.
The Stags were likewise thrilled when they noticed that one of the younger children, be it coincidence or otherwise, was wearing a top in their colours – black and yellow.
They delivered a Pentium PC with printer, a desk, a chair, a fax machine, two washing machines, a television and video recorder, videos and a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, bought with the money they had raised. They also delivered a collection of toys so fine they found some of the items, like the electric guitar, quite difficult to part with, and six boxes of clothes.
Most of the money had been raised through a charity auction and a sportathon although a percentage came from other sources, including fines for things like turning up to matches with dirty boots or drunk. They declined to divulge any other examples of fineable offences.
They selected the home with the help of an organisation called Orphan Care, which is one of its sponsors. Its founder and chief executive Lisa Collins, who is from Atlanta, Georgia, accompanied the group to Mihaltsi.
She said: “When you get more remote from Sofia you usually see there’s a stronger need. Also, the babies’ orphanages usually get a lot more attention and donations.
“We suggested this home because we wanted one where the children would be old enough to see and really appreciate the rugby team – and the children were just delighted.”
Lisa Collins and her husband set up Orphan Care after their 15-year-old son died in an accident.
They chose to adopt an orphan – a baby girl from Russia named Brandy – and their visits to Russian orphanages moved them to explore what they could to help other abandoned children. She said: “Whenever you come and you see these children and their needs, it’s very overwhelming.”
Lisa was due to meet some people in Sofia the next day who were about to adopt their 17th child!
The director of the area’s special needs homes was also present for the Stags’ visit.
The children go to a different orphanage until they are three and then, if their parents either reject them or are genuinely unable to care for them they go on to the home for older children, she said. After the age of 10 there is yet a further home which takes them up to the age of 18. Then a home for adults awaits – to which visitors seldom come.
Fortunately, this network of homes is a pattern of care which is now beginning to change in Bulgaria, she said. “The plan is actually to close homes like this and move towards foster care and day care centres.”
The Stags’ rugby hosts were the National Sports Academy club, who lined up two matches for them – against a student team and the premiership-winning side, plus a seven-aside tournament.
Back in Sofia, the team was thanked emphatically for its charity endeavours by ambassador Richard Stagg at the embassy club – the Stag’s Head – where a reception had been laid on for them.
The Stags whipped their songbook out and for a while it seemed as though a chorus of angels had taken over the club. As long as you didn’t listen too carefully to the lyrics. All together now: “We’re the boys who work in the tampax factory...”
