Tsvetomila, 11, recently lost her mother to terminal illness – and she and her father Nikolay are struggling to cope with their shock and grief. The family live in poverty in a small, makeshift house in a Roma community in Gotse Delchev.
Nikolay said, “The situation was already not easy for us, but when Maria passed away, it became unbearable.
“I didn't know where to start. My wife took care of all the household tasks and she looked after our daughter. I am a bad cook and even boiling lentils seems impossible to me.”
Fortunately, the family is receiving regular support from Mission Without Borders, and as well as receiving regular material and emotional support, Tsvetomila was invited along to summer camp.
![Tsvetomila and her father outside their modest home in Bulgaria Tsvetomila and her father outside their modest home in Bulgaria](/portals/0/Images/Stories/2024/Tsvetomila/x1.jpg,qver=2024-06-25-144858-150.pagespeed.ic.rtVXXCPgYi.jpg)
Tsvetomila and her father outside their modest home in Bulgaria
Ventsislav, the MWB staff member who supports the family, said, “Tsvetomila took the loss of her mother very hard. She was adopted at a very young age, and she’s always accepted Nikolay and Maria as her only family.
“She rarely spoke after the loss; she shut herself in. We didn't really know what was going on in her heart.
“When the chance came for Tsvetomila to go to summer camp, she couldn't contain her excitement. She’d heard stories from other children in the community who’d gone along before, and she couldn’t wait to go herself. She was among the first of the children at the pre-departure stop, very excited about the days to come.”
Tsvetomila said, “When I first got to the summer camp, I was immediately struck by the happy atmosphere. The camp was full of people laughing and having fun.
![Tsvetomila makes supper for her father Tsvetomila makes supper for her father](/portals/0/Images/Stories/2024/Tsvetomila/x2.jpg,qver=2024-06-25-145558-243.pagespeed.ic.q1irrnqztt.jpg)
Tsvetomila makes supper for her father