Concert for International Children's Day!
Report of Recent Events in Bulgaria
Plans were being made to move to China
around the end of May. Since I was leaving, I decided to try to have my 6 t.v.
programs about children with disabilities repeated on one of the channels, as a
last effort to bring awareness and information to the public. I closed the bank
account of my Foundation, “Love That Child” because I was leaving and there
was nothing much left in the account anyway.
One
of the stations, DEN, a national
Cable TV station
agreed and this gave me the idea
to make it a bigger project and bring more attention to the programs:
Event
#1: Conference
I
decided to organize a conference/press conference on April 23rd,
where journalists would be invited to experience and learn first-hand about
disabilities from some health-care professionals in the field as well as from
some young people with disabilities and their parents.
It
was held at the American Cultural Center and I decided to ask the wife of the
American Ambassador (with whom I had met only a few weeks before and become
quite friendly) to be the special guest and present the first statement about
children with
disabilities.
To
lighten the 3-hour conference, McDonald’s agreed to send over coffee and
apple
pies for everyone and “Jestim”, a group of young people with hearing
disabilities performed for us.
It
was really an exciting and successful event!
Results:
It
was publicized especially on “National Radio, Horizont” several times and in
the only
English
newspaper, “Echo”.
At
this time, I met and became close friends with these 2 Journalists.
They both interviewed me a few times about my involvement in disabled
children and my personal life and included everything I said about the Baha’i
Faith! They also became interested themselves – the radio Journalist, Evelina,
has already come to the Baha’i Center and has interviewed a travel-teacher
including her remarks about the Baha’i Faith. The print-Journalist, Velina,
wants to come to the Baha’i Center, and then write a special article on the
Faith.
The
Second Secretary to the American Embassy contacted me and asked for an
appointment to discuss a project about children with disabilities. We met for 2
hours and he asked me to help organize a big conference that the “Women’s
International Club” is organizing for June 26th along with help
from the Embassy. Since then, I have met his wife who is taking a major role in
organizing this conference, the President of the Women’s Club who invited me
to join (the club is comprised of diplomats, wives of diplomats, etc.)
Previously,
I had met a business-couple and we had become good friends. Fanny became
interested in the Faith and is now participating in Ruhi #1. She is capable and
intelligent but was missing 2 things in her life: the spiritual part that she
receives now from the Baha’i Faith, and the service to humanity which fulfills
her now as she helps me with projects regarding children with disabilities.
We
had the idea to organize a big concert for June 1st, International
Children’s Day, called “Love That Child”!
A
young travel-teacher, Susanne Boehm, arrived from Germany on May 2nd,,
and she came just in time to complete the task force of Velina, the Journalist
who wanted to help, Fanny, my
new-found friend and me.
This
was a unique and diverse team that was totally unified!
Event
#2: Concert:
The
concert was sponsored by Danone and UNHCR in Bulgaria.
We
secured a lovely theater hall for about 350 – 400 people, Dom na Kinoto.
During
the days of preparation, we met the Representative of the UNHCR in Bulgaria,
Luise Druke, who became friends
with us and agreed to sponsor half of the expenses along with Danone, a
well-known business, producing yogurt and milk products.
We
had posters made and put up around Sofia and had special invitations printed and
delivered by courier to VIPs.
We
hired a professional photographer.
We
arranged to have an exhibition of Mariela Vundeva’s art work put up in the
foyer of the theater. She is a well-known artist who is paralyzed and paints
with her mouth. She has become a Baha’i. We also arranged for a special van to
bring her to the theater in her special wheel-chair.
We
met with the Deputy-Minister of Social Affairs, who I knew several years before
when she was Director of the Social Rehabilitation Center. We wanted her to
speak representing the government and giving a statement about what is happening
from that aspect. She had to decline because she would be out of the country,
but she was extremely friendly and tried to secure the Director of the State
Agency for Child Protection to speak in her place. She also closed our
appointment by saying that if I had an idea or proposal for a project, the
Ministry would be happy to support me morally and financially.
I
contacted all those most popular performers in Bulgaria who had appeared on the
“Love That Child” programs and most were available and happy to participate
in the concert!
I
asked Kathy Pardew, wife of the American Ambassador for her participation and
she also agreed to give a statement even though her schedule is unbelievably
busy. She is devoted to serving humankind. She has said to me: “When I leave
here in about another year, I will say to myself---what have I accomplished? Was
it enough?”
It’s
a lesson for me and for all Baha’is to hear this from a non-Baha’i!
We
had contacted the offices of the Mayor, the President and the Prime Minister We
requested them to present an official opening for the Concert.
I
received a phone call one day from the office of the Prime Minister. It was an
old friend who used to work with me at the National Radio. She told me that she
is now the Prime Minister’s personal Assistant and that she has my letter with
the request in front of her! She told me that he would not be in the country but
wanted to personally sign and send an official message to the Concert.
It was hand-delivered. The English translation is attached.
This
impressive and inspirational letter from the Prime Minister was read at the
concert in both languages and warmly received by the audience of between 350 and
400 people.
Kathy
Pardew also spoke so warmly and lovingly about the Foundation and supported what
we are trying to accomplish.
The
UNHCR brought a busload of refugee children from around the world to enjoy the
Concert and a few of them sang/read poems in Bulgarian. They were a highlight!
The
performers were absolutely, incredibly wonderful! In fact it was one of the best
shows I’ve ever seen!
“Love
That Child” lives again!!!
Conclusion:
When
Susanne, the travel-teacher arrived on May 2nd, we continued with
these prayer sessions every morning and we are amazed at what is happening
almost every day! We are led to receptive souls, we are meeting more and more
prominent people, doors are opening and there is so much to follow through each
day!
I’m
so thankful for the prayers of the I.T.C. at the Holy Shrines.
I
feel sure that right now, I should stay and serve in Bulgaria. I’m grateful
for these confirmations and clear Divine Guidance.
Update:
Rep. of UNHCR, Luise Druke
has asked me to cooperate in a project for the University of Shumen. This
University has conferred upon her the title Doctor Honoris Causa of Shumen
University. It is known for its tradition of welcoming minority students. About
25 % are of Turkish and Romani ethnic origin. Also, a number of physically
challenged students have studied and graduated from this University.
They
are now building a dormitory complex with easy access for disabilities and need
funding in which Luise Druke is trying to help.
We
will produce a 30 minute documentary about the University and their goals in
Bulgarian with English subtitles to be distributed by UNHCR to appropriate
institutions etc. here and abroad.
Loving greetings,
Terry