“Borrow a Grandma” Initiative Continues in Villages Near Gabrovo

“Take Me to Your Village, campaign takes palce for fifth consecutive year. ‘Borrowed Grandmas’ host young children and teenagers from across the country in their homes, allowing them to experience rural life first hand. For the duration of one week, the children are shown the lifestyle, habits, and culture of the locals. This year, the campaign takes place in seven villages near Gabrovo, in Central Bulgaria, with over 100 participating children.

The first village to kick-off this year’s campaign was Popovtsi, where ten children – ages 9 to 14 – were ‘adopted’ by 5 host grandmothers. The secretary from the local school lets us know that they try very hard to welcome the children and ensure that they are happy to be there.

Donka Simeonova is a ‘borrowed grandma’ for her second year in a row. She explains that being able to host children in her home once again brings her great joy and comfort.

“This initiative is amazing, because it makes my house feel like a home again, and the children can learn many useful things: how to tend the garden, how to make fruit compotes, I even showed them how to pick dill!”

Penka is another hostess. She caims that “we show the kids things that they will never have the opportunity to see in the big city… they gain an appreciation for nature and growing your own food.”

The children will remember their short stays here for a long time, as this is a summer vacation like no other.

Victoria, a ‘borrowed grandchild’, shared “I am glad I came, I actually really enjoyed it… the grandmas are very kind… we watered the gardens... we even cooked donuts and French toast with eggs that we collected from the hens!”

Lora, “I liked everything! She taught me how to knit, and gave me many drawings to take home.”

The initiative, “Take Me to Your Village” was inspired by a student essay by a little girl from Gabrovo, in which she wrote about her dream of having grandparents in the village which she could visit. The campaign continues until the end of August.