In the gentle hush of the Bulgarian countryside, two young brothers, Todor and Stefan, greet each dawn in their home on the outskirts of Sredets. Their parents rise with the sun, seizing whatever day’s work the fields or roads might offer. The work does not pay well; most days, they struggle to even afford basic bread. Their little house stands as a testament to simple endurance — no flicker of electricity to chase away the night, no steady stream of running water to ease the day’s labors.
Through the chill of unheated nights, Todor and Stefan hold fast to visions of tomorrow: of finishing school, of attending university, the pride of honest work that provides without pleading, homes filled with the quiet abundance of running taps and full pantries. They dream of becoming adults not shadowed by despair, but lifted by the promise of provision.
These aspirations echo through the warmth of Convoy of Hope’s Children’s Feeding initiative in Sredets. Now in their second year engaging with the programme, Todor and Stefan arrive each day for the nourishing warmth of a home-cooked meal and for the steady embrace of stability it brings. This effort offers the gentle reminder that they are seen, valued, and cherished. No longer do rumbling stomachs steal focus from lessons or laughter; instead, the boys savour the comfort of knowing tomorrow’s meal awaits, a small miracle that feeds the soul as surely as the body.
A Convoy of Hope Field Team visit to Sredets brought yet another layer of grace to this community — a newly installed bathroom, complete with showers. For Todor and Stefan, it was a moment etched in wonder: their first showers. Their first time feeling the warm water cascading over them, steaming and soothing. Todor, eyes wide with awe, described it as a blessing pouring down his face, washing away not just the dust of labor and the weariness of want, but the hidden weights of shame and sorrow, too. In that steamy sanctuary, they stood clean for the first time — truly clean — feeling the dignity instilled in them from the very beginning, the sacred worth of being human among humans, beloved and whole.
Today, amid their circle of friends, Todor and Stefan stand tall, clothes fresh and posture proud. These are the stories that light our path — the quiet revolutions of restored dignity, the sparks of belief that ignite futures once dimmed.
At Convoy of Hope, we are humbled to partner in this work, bridging the gap between hardship and hope through programmes like the Children’s Feeding initiative and Field Teams. Your support makes these transformations possible, turning dreams into destiny.
