Introduction to One Heart Children's Foundation Programs

---

One Heart Children's Foundation  hires Bulgarian & Albanian  grandmothers (“babas”) to give individual attention to the children by reading to them, cuddling with them, helping them with homework, and taking them outside on walks. Babas also help little ones bathe, brush teeth, and prepare for their day or bedtime. Some are assigned to work one-on-one with children with severe mental or physical disabilities. This is an invaluable program that helps the children receive the individual attention and love they desperately need, which aids them in their social skills and emotional and personal development. 

We employ grandmothers to care for children at orphanages all over Bulgaria and in Albania. They receive training in childcare, trauma awareness, and basic dental hygiene. Babas who work with children with disabilities are often former nurses or physical therapists. They love the children and grow very fond of their time with them. Because they truly make a difference, babas are in high demand at the orphanages. 

Our physical therapists help abandoned children who are crib-bound and wheelchair-bound, due to cerebral palsy, lack of early intervention, and neglect. We are currently working with a physical therapist, based in Varna, who has had success with a protocol that includes intensive physical therapy and regular repositioning. Occupational therapeutic techniques are also incorporated. All of our therapists have received this special training and have worked miracles with the children as a result. When children receiving this specialized therapy have reached mobilization goals, they become available for adoption or have been able to return to their homes.  

Many orphanages and medical organizations offering care to orphans have requested OHCF physical therapists and training. Because of the high demand, we need to expand our physical therapy program from three therapists working at six facilities, to nine full time therapists working at ten facilities. With this kind of team, 150 children could receive therapy. Witnessing a once, crib-bound child take his or her first steps is truly incredible! When you support this program, you are giving these children the gift of mobility, independence, and in some cases, a chance for adoption!  

For children who have suffered neglect and abuse,  appropriate help to overcome trauma is vital. One Heart Children's Foundation supports mental health therapists who work with children to ensure that they receive the support they need to begin their healing journey. OHCF has also supported training initiatives and roundtable discussions that provide information and help participants develop the skills they need to interact with children who have gone though traumatic life events.   

 One Heart Children's Foundation is expanding its reach by supporting a medical clinic for underprivileged pregnant women in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The clinic provides vital prenatal care and emotional support during and after pregnancy. Through this medical program, we are confident that we will begin to see a decrease in birth defects as well as child abandonment. Reports indicate that if an “at risk” mother receives emotional and medical support during the first twenty-four hours after birth, she is more likely to bond with her baby, instead of abandoning it. This is especially important for mothers who are as young as thirteen years old, which is not an uncommon childbearing age in this region. In addition, many of these girls and women do not have access to birth control or family planning classes. 

Vesela Clinic, with the support of One Heart Children's Foundation, provides services that meet all the needs and concerns of childbearing girls and women who are seeking help. To accomplish this, we need significant support from individuals, foundations, and corporations who are willing to join us in this worthy effort to do the grass-roots work it will take to change the trajectory for girls and women in Bulgaria and throughout Eastern Europe. 

One Heart Children's Foundation's medical programs and initiatives have made a significant impact on the health and well-being of orphans and vulnerable girls and women in Bulgaria. The organization focuses on addressing various medical needs, with an emphasis on hydrocephalus treatment, perinatal care, infant care, medical training, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and medical supplies.

Medicines

The organization plays a key role in supplying flu vaccines and various medications to children in orphanages. One Heart Children's Foundation receives urgent requests for medical supplies, especially before flu season each year, ensuring that children have access to necessary healthcare.

Pediatric Rehabilitation

One Heart Children's Foundation has assembled multiple pediatric rehabilitation teams to evaluate patients and train healthcare professionals in therapy, medical procedures, and occupational and rehabilitation techniques. The team focuses on working with orphans and at-risk children with neurological, developmental, and orthopedic disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, limb disorders, hydrocephalus, mental disabilities, and developmental neglect. By providing training, the organization aims to improve the quality of life for these children and train those who serve them.

Nurses

One Heart Children's Foundation provides nurses and caregivers at select children’s homes to personally attend to children with the most critical cases of hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, and physical, emotional, and developmental delays. 

Hydrocephalus Program

One Heart Bulgaria's hydrocephalus program, which is no longer operating, provided critical treatment for children with hydrocephalus, a condition caused by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. The program saved nearly 100 lives through life-saving shunt surgeries, alleviating the condition and providing relief. The program was successful in training local neurosurgeons with the involvement of American volunteer neurosurgeons Dr. John Clark and Dr. Clint Baird.

Through these initiatives, One Heart Children's Foundation continues to positively impact the health and well-being of children in need, providing essential support and care.

 OHCF has established two libraries with librarians who mentor the children through educational and social activities, reading initiatives, and computer access.

Gradets Library has a qualified teacher/librarian to guide and mentor the children. This first library, established by a generous donation from the Dorothea Haus Ross Foundation, was inaugurated on November 1, 2012. This event received media coverage and was attended by several municipal officials and directors of nearby orphanages. 

Bratsigovo Orphanage Complex Library: Thanks to a generous donation from Polly and Josh Brandoff, we were able to create another beautiful library/computer room in Bratsigovo, Bulgaria. Our librarian, Mariana, is an exceptional individual who is devoted to her work with the kids. The children love to read here, work on puzzles, draw, and spend time together. Upon visiting the site, OHB president Deborah Dushku said, “It was gratifying to see so many children in one room getting along with one another and truly enjoying themselves. I would like to extend a special thank you to our Sponsorship Director, Donna Dushku, our Field Director, Dr. Nickolai Gavazov, and our donors for creating our truly wonderful libraries!”

We are interested in starting a mentoring program at these two locations for the purpose of teaching teenagers important business skills and character development. For more details, please refer to the “Life Skills Training and Mentoring” section below.

Please consider donating to our Teacher Fund to keep our capable staff working to enrich the lives of  the kids who participate in programs at our libraries and other educational programs!