Every year, on the eve of Christmas, thousands of children in Bulgaria receive gifts specially prepared for them by their peers from other European countries. This is made possible thanks to ADRA’s international initiative "Children Helping Children," which, for 25 years, has been uniting children, families, and communities around the ideas of empathy and solidarity.
The project originated with ADRA Germany, offering children from Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, and France the opportunity to take an active role in supporting peers in need within Europe’s poorer regions. Each year, over 40,000 children prepare gift boxes, carefully selected and wrapped with a specific child in mind who is living in difficult social or economic conditions.
Bulgaria is one of the countries reached by these gestures of kindness. Through well-organized logistics, partner organizations, and a network of volunteers, ADRA Bulgaria managed to distribute over 8,300 gifts this year. The campaign reached children in vulnerable communities, social service centers, and schools in more than 100 locations across the country.
"For many of these children, this is not just a gift. It is a sign that someone is thinking of them, that they are not forgotten. For some, this will be the only present they receive all year, and we are glad they will receive it specifically from ADRA," says Marian Dimitrov, executive director of ADRA Bulgaria.
The recipients are aware that the gifts are carefully prepared by other children from Western Europe. Nine-year-old Vesa, from the village of Patalenitsa, opened her box to find a winter hat, pencils, a pencil case, treats, toys, and school supplies. She shared: "I want to thank the child who made this great gift for me! It made me feel very good!" Meanwhile, fifteen-year-old Todor, from the town of Roman, wished his anonymous donor success in the New Year and encouraged them to continue doing good deeds.
This year, the initiative was also supported by celebrities who joined in distributing the gifts. Among them were Reneta Kamberova, world champion and Olympic medalist in rhythmic gymnastics, and actor/singer Orlin Pavlov, who visited several schools and kindergartens. Their presence served as an example of commitment and empathy, turning the meetings into an exceedingly exciting and memorable experience.
"These boxes are eagerly anticipated because every year there is something new, something different.‘Children Helping Children’ is more than a charity campaign. It is an educational and upbringing process that teaches children—both those who give and those who receive—about empathy, care, and responsibility toward others," commented Ivet Simeonova, director of a social center in the town of Roman.
The project demonstrates that even the smallest gestures can hold great significance and that kindness, when shared, has the power to change lives.
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