Hey there!
We are the No Name Kitchen’s team in Harmanli, Bulgaria, nestled near the Turkish border. We're a vibrant team dedicated to support people in need through aid distributions as well as collecting testimonies of border violence and dire conditions in the refugee camps.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
In this corner of Bulgaria, families, women, unaccompanied minors, and single men are facing tough times, enduring unsanitary conditions while awaiting the outcome of lengthy asylum procedures that can stretch up to six months or more. Sadly, the family reunification process often drags on even longer.
Forced to seek asylum in Bulgaria, these individuals find themselves in reception camps like Harmanli, Pastrogor, and Banya. Here, they've reported grim conditions – from the lack of doors and proper showers to perpetually blocked sinks emitting unpleasant odors. Hot water? It's a luxury in short supply.
Even for those fortunate enough to receive international protection, life doesn't get much easier. They're swiftly pushed out of the camps, left to navigate a waiting game for their documents while contending with sky-high rental prices for accommodation that's often infested with bed bugs and plagued by unsanitary living conditions.
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
Since our inception in December 2023, we've been on a mission to truly understand the needs of the community and how we can make a meaningful impact. In Harmanli, our team engages directly with individuals through a range of activities – from social gatherings and dancing to crocheting, UNO, and football matches. We're all about fostering connections, swapping stories, and forging bonds over chai and biscuits.
But it's not all fun and games – we're also distributing essential supplies like food, clothes, and hygiene products to help alleviate the struggles of daily life in these challenging circumstances.
The hygiene items we provide – soap, toothbrushes, socks, underwear, tissues – aren't just about physical health; they're a lifeline for maintaining dignity and mental well-being.
WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS?
As our outreach efforts expand, so does the demand for our assistance. From 9 families a week to now reaching 30 or more, the need for diapers, wet wipes, and laundry detergent is constant, but our current budget is simply not enough to meet this ever growing demand,
For this reason, we aim to raise €5000 to keep supporting children, families and unaccompanied minors in Bulgaria over the next 6 months.
Every amount you decide to donate will have a huge impact on the work we are doing here. Just to give you an idea on how your donation will help:
€10 will buy 40 toothbrushes,
€20 will buy 100 diapers
€50 will buy 17 complete hygiene packs.
So feel free to donate according to your possibilities.
Thank you!