THE lives of numerous orphans in Bulgaria will be improved thanks to the latest project carried out by Okehampton-based charity, the House of Rachel.

A team comprising the charity's founder Andrew Morgan, Barry Gee, Elliot Maltby, and Phil, Heather, Matt and Ryan Dennis recently visited the village of Kichevo to prepare a two-acre plot of land for a summer camp that will provide a home for 50 children during the summer.

House of Rachel founder Andrew Morgan, said: 'During the summer months, the Bulgarian authorities do not provide for all the children to stay at the orphanages, and many end up on the streets.

'It is during the summer that the criminal gangs trawl the streets looking to recruit these vulnerable children into gangs of prostitutes and pickpockets.

'For many reasons, the children do not receive a proper education and so inevitably end up failing at school and seeking "illegal employment" with the criminal gangs.

'In all, it is planned to host 50 orphaned and abandoned children at the summer camp — that's 50 children who will be protected from the risks of roaming the street and will be given help and training in all manner of education and vocational-based skills.'

The concept was trialled in Kichevo in January and April in a guest house. The camps proved to be a great success, both with the orphanage directors and youngsters.

The director at Barzitsa Orphanage, which is home to 80 children aged from 5 to 18, told them that in order to qualify for the camp, they must show an improvement in both their school work and general behaviour. There was an instant response, with a marked improvement across the board.

Children from a number of orphanages will get the chance to stay at the camp.

The finished site has a car park, driveway, footpaths, a sports field, camping area and a garden.

The construction work was not plain sailing for the team — 50 tonnes of rubble, 33 tonnes of sand and 12 tonnes of dressing stone were turned into a car park, driveway and pathways, all achieved manually using shovels and wheelbarrows.

The elements were also against Andrew and the team: 'We had to battle against monsoon-type rainstorms and searing heat. The difficulties were compounded by problems in getting hold of materials.

'The differences in British building culture and Bulgarian building culture were so wide that at times it was very frustrating trying to get things done.'

Bulgaria has the highest number of orphaned and abandoned children in Europe. There is minimal provision for those forced to leave orphanages at 18, often with no money, job or family. Through a varied programme of diverse projects, the House of Rachel aims to improve the lives of vulnerable Bulgarian children and equip them with the skills they need to cope later in life.

The charity already has plans for its next trip and another big project in 2013.

A group of year 11 and year 12 students will go to Bulgaria in July and arrange a week of activities for the children of Barzitsa Orphanage.

Andrew said: This is now an annual event which the children of Barzitsa really look forward to, and for many of the college students it can be a life-changing experience.'

In 2013, the House of Rachel will be working to improve the facilities of the school at Krivnya Orphanage, a home for orphaned children with special educational needs. The work is likely to take place in May 2013.

If you are interested in finding out more, e-mail Andrew Morgan at [email protected]">[email protected]

Everyone at the House of Rachel has expressed thanks to Gelert for providing a large tent for the project at a significant discount, to the team of builders and all the supporters who help the charity to pursue their aims and made the trip to Kichevo possible.

A report looking back on the group's visit to Kichevo is available in OK Leisure, on Fore Street. The report looks at the visit in a light-hearted manner.

For more information on the work of the charity, visit http://www.houseofrachel.org">www.houseofrachel.org