Fresh vegetables in the House of opportunity

Vegetable garden in House of Opportunity brings hope to illiterate young men

This year for the first time, the House of Opportunity in Skravena (House of Joshua) has fresh vegetable produce. Our young people and staff have grown tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, parsley, beans and more. The crops will help lower the house budget for food and will enrich the menu of the young people with fresh quality vegetables.

Of greatest value, however, is the fact that the garden provides a meaningful occupation to the young people. Essential part of the House of Opportunity Programme is to help young people to find employment in order to gain experience and skills. For the majority of them, the best solution is to be occupied in a real-life working environment with an employer who is independent from the programme. For some though, that would not be a real option.

Niki and Marian have grown in the orphanage in Berkovitsa and have graduated fom the ‘slow’ school there. They have no identified disabilities apart from diagnosed ‘mild mental retardation’. For unknown reason both boys are completely illiterate – they cannot read, write, calculate or even recognize the money. “Children with such diagnosis have potential to learn”, says Petko Petkov – manager of the house and director of the primary school in Lipnitsa. In his opinion, the young people are victims of the system. Whatever the reason may be, today Marian and Niki are not in a position to find a job. Consequently, they are unable to build lives of independent adults.

The House of Opportunity and its new vegetable garden offers the boys a chance to gain skills and knowledge ina practical job. In addition, engaging them in a project which is suitable for their needs and potential and which shows obvious result of their work, will help restore their dignity and hope. Meanwhile, our team is starting devoted work on helping them with their literacy.