The COHEU team was on their way to visit a small Roma community on the outskirts of the city of Kardjali in Bulgaria when their driver said, “they call this town the place that doesn’t exist”. Most of the 35 families that live here are illegal immigrants. They came, built their small mud homes and just stayed. The only available water came from one outside faucet, operational because of an illegal connection into the water system.

Like many other Roma, living in most of the Eastern European countries, these people suffer under poverty and social exclusion, forcing many of the young women into prostitution or human trafficking.

Convoy of Hope Europe, partnering with the Whitburn Pentecostal Church near Glasgow, Scotland, has adopted this community and will aim to try to make this “place that does not exist,” a better place to inhabit.

Education will be one of the factors which will make a huge impact in this society. Therefore, COHEU will place a large emphasis on the schooling of the children. It is our goal to see the majority of children and young adults not only attend school but to graduate. Together, with the village elders and our sponsors, will we be looking at what can be done to make “the place that does not excist,” a place that transforms lives and creates opportunities for a bright future.

COHEU has the following goals.

• Install water purifications systems.
• Build a new church/community center.
• Provide Christmas packages to students and teachers.
• Provide a part-time tutor to help children with their education