Donation of Food Supplies for Orthodox Easter by Rotary Club Sofia International to Together for Serdika (Initiative Committee) again. We at Rotary Club Sofia International recognize the need for continued support of individuals and families in need of food during these trying times. A one time donation, though well intended, can potentially have little impact on people’s lives. Since Rotary is committed to helping people in less fortunate circumstances we made it our goal in this project to extend this help throughout this crisis to the best of our ability.
This week for the Orthodox Easter we purchased: 120 bottles of cooking oil, 44 bottles of pasta sauce, 67 cans of meat. These items were then taken to a local community depot organized by Mrs. Ralitsa Botina.
Care packages are then put together from all of the donations of the week and then delivered to those people and families in dire need of assistance. The repackaging and distribution is organised by Together for Serdika (Initiative Committee) and are delivered in the following neighborhoods: Orlandovtsi, Banishora, Fondovi zhilishta and Benkovski.
Further help is needed for this project. Please, contact the organizers – Together for Serdika (Initiative Committee) – for details. Alternatively you can reach Rotary Club Sofia International at: info@rc-si.org
Rotary Club Sofia International donated vital food products for people in need. The initiative was organized with the support of Together for Serdika (Initiative Committee). On 9 April 2020 Mrs. Kim, Ms. Hristova and Mr. Dale gathered (while maintaining a socially responsible distance from each other) at a well known grocery store. There they purchased a large amount of items for less privileged members of the society. This initiative was facilitated by a very generous donation by our friends Mrs. Inna Badan and Mr. Claude Badan and orchestrated by Mrs. Linda Kim.
The team acquired 120 packets of pasta, 36 packets of rice, 120 bars of soap, 36 bottles of cooking oil, 60 packets of flour and 60 packets of lentils. These were then taken to a local community depot organised by Mrs. Ralitsa Botina and Mr. Mladen Mitev from Together for Serdika (Initiative Committee). The initiative committee is also supported by the Mayor of the Serdika region, Sofia.
The products will be repacked into individual care packages. Then these will be distributed to people in need in the neighborhoods: Orlandovtsi, Banishora, Fondovi zhilishta and Benkovski.
We hope to be able to continue with this initiative during the course of this crisis. Thus demonstrating Rotary’s commitment to helping people in less fortunate circumstances.
SALOON – American Pub were kind hosts of the Rotary Club Sofia International’s regular meeting on 11 March 2020. The authentic decor of the venue lent itself to great photo opportunities to all and really enhanced the fellowship of the meeting. This coupled with amazing food and service was poignantly to mark the end of our normal regular meetings owing to the global virus pandemic. Our club President alluded to this possibility at the meeting. Later that week it became official. Currently we use a virtual platform to continue our meetings to adhere to the social distancing guidelines. The spirit of Rotary prevails, however!
Results form the 15th Anniversary of Rotary Club Sofia International fundraiser were announced at a regular meeting of the club. The meeting was held on 4 March 2020 in Hilton Sofia as usual. The entire evening was dedicated to presenting the results of the Birthday celebration of the club on 27 February 2020 in Oborishte 5 Gallery and Hall.
After the official opening and the 4-Way-Test, the President presented the balance of the 15th Anniversary event. He was pleased and proud to share the financial results, which show that the event was very successful. We have been able to collect for our projects more than 8000 BGN.
The proceedings from the event will be dedicated mainly to our core club’s project “Sofia Owls” Volleyball club for people with disabilities.
After the financial balance was presented, the President expressed personally his gratitude to the organizational committee and all Rotary members from our club involved in the organization and realization of the event. He also showed high appreciation to our club members active participation and involvement during the event itself, which contributed to the successful outcome.
More than 120 guest were present, among which the Ambassador of Netherlands and our dear Rotary member and friend H.E. Mrs. Bea Ten Tusscher, the Counsellor/Charge d’Affaires of Embassy of Pakistan H.E. Mr. Marwan Alex Ayyash, Mr. George Spassov, Honorary Consul of the Republic of the Sudan in Sofia, Mrs. Nina Miteva, Past District Governor of Rotary Bulgaria.
The evening started with a cello performance by Mrs. Magdalena Petrovich. Afterwards the event continued with introductory words by the President, Mr. Plamen Kertev. He welcomed the guests, presented the club and its most successful projects. A congratulatory letter by the Mayor of Sofia followed. After, Mr. Enrico Repouz presented the main cause of the club – “Sofia Owls”.
A fundraising auction and raffle also followed.
The amount collected at the 15 Birthday of Rotary Club Sofia International reached approximately 8 000 BGN.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Human Body presentation by the club’s member Dr. Tessy Tian, PHD was the topic of the regular meeting on 19 February 2020. The meeting itself was held in the home base Hilton Sofia. All present members and guests were moved by Dessy’s presentation, which was very interesting and practical.
Dessy has presented herself, her educational journey in traditional Chinese and Western medicine, As well she gave an overview of traditional Chinese medicine. She went on to explain the different techniques and practices, that keep human body and soul healthy and help longevity. It was curious for all present to learn the impact of different emotions on the different parts of the human body.
Mrs. Dessy Tian with her family have a clinic in Sofia. And for more than 20 years and it has been successfully helping many people to gain, maintain and improve health condition through the traditional Chinese medicine.
After the presentation of Dessy a long and exciting Q&A session followed.
Afterwards the President expressed gratitude to Linda for hosting the Swiss fondue night last Wednesday. Big thanks also to Claude, Inna, and Ani for assisting our hostess. They all contributed to a very pleasant evening.
Fondue was the topic of the meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International on 12 February. It was hosted by our dearest Rotary friend Mrs. Linda Kim. She was so kind to invite in her home the members for a already traditional fondue night. Seventeen people were present and had a great time and unforgettable experience.
Mr. Claude and Mrs. Inna Baden as usual played a major role in preparing the fondue. The host Linda has provided all original products for that unique Swiss taste. Ms. Ani Hristova also helped for the organization, ensuring all necessary items for the evening are provided.
Apart from the original and delicious fondue with Swiss cheese and white wine, Linda has prepared a magnificent dessert that was a great end of the dinner.
During the evening the President expressed gratitude to Linda for the wonderful evening and her hospitality. He also reminded the members about the 15th Anniversary of the club. Later organizational matters for the celebration were discussed.
Ms. Hristova presented a flag from Rotary Club Kazanlak. She visited the club with a delegation from the Pakistan Embassy. It consisted of Mr. Marwan Alex Ayyash, Charge d’Affaires and his team. The invitation was form our friend Mr. Ibrahim Kachan, treasurer of the Club.
Later a flag from South Africa was also presented. It is from Rotary Club Sandton. All members of Rotary Club Sofia International send special greetings to them.
The night continued with with lots of fun and friendly conversations.
The District Governor of District 2482 – Bulgaria, Mr. Mitko Minev visited Rotary Club Sofia International on 4 February 2020. He was together with the Assistant District Governor for Zone Sofia Mr. Konstantin Yanakiev. The meeting was, as usual, hosted by our long term partners Hilton Sofia.
The District Governor started by presenting himself and was very interested in getting to know every member of the club and the guests that were present. Thus everybody had the chance to present themselves and say a few words about their endeavors.
Mr. Minev then continued with an interesting and extensive presentation about Rotary Bulgaria. Later, he talked about the vision, mission and the strategic priorities for the Rotarian year. Moreover, he spoke about best practices and projects in the District. Rotary Club Sofia International in their turn presented the successful realization of the MED-Bul Project.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Minev exchanged the District flag for the flag of the club with the president Mr. Kertev. Mr. Minev, thereafter, presented pins to the the President and secretary of the club, as well as, to the Presidents of Rotaract and Interact clubs. The Past President Ms. Hrisova received a special recognition for her service and actions. For helping to “Grow” Rotary and for being a “Bridge” between Rotary Club Sofia International and Rotary Club Veliko Tarnovo she was presented with the “Together We Grow” pin.
On 22 January 2020 the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands H.E. Mrs. Bea Ten Tusscher held a presentation during the regular meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International. The meeting, as usual, took place in Hilton Sofia. We were, once again, happy to welcome numerous guests: H.E. Thabo Thage, the Ambassador of South Africa to Bulgaria (our presenter form last week), Mrs. Yolanda Van den Brook, Mrs. Irina Naskova, Mr. Arif Soylem and Mrs. Akay Soylem from RC Goeztepe, Izmir, Turkey, Mr. Jasper Wijbenga, Mrs. Nevena Doycheva.
It goes without saying that the expose of H.E. Mrs. Bea Ten Tusscher, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bulgaria and member of Rotary Club Sofia International was the focus of our meeting. H.E. Mrs. Tusscher presented to the audience a comprehensive, catching and vivid lecture on the foreign policy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. She touched upon the bilateral trade and economic relations. Then continued with information on the investments and the co-operation of our countries in the field of the education and culture. The presentation was accompanied by a slideshow of the beautiful sceneries of the Netherlands. An extensive and lively question and answer followed after the lecture.
The club received warm Rotarian greetings from Rotary Club Goeztepe, from Izmir in Turkey. These were kindly transmitted by Mr. Arif Soylem, a member of the cub, who attended our meeting as guest together with his spouse.
Before closing the official meeting, the President, Mr. Kertev shared updates on the 15th Birthday Celebration of the club, to be held on 27 February at Oborishte 5 Gallery and Hall. All the information needed can be found on our Facebook page.
The fellowship continued with the discussions about the Dutch-Bulgarian relations in the lobby bar of the hotel.
A presentation by H.E. Mr. Thabo Thage, the Ambassador of South Africa to Bulgaria at the regular meting of Rotary Club Sofia International took place on 15 January 2020. The meeting was entirely dedicated to the presentation of H.E. Mr. Thabo Thage. Thus after the official opening the President Mr. Plamen Kertev welcomed the guests and gave the floor to H.E. The presentation focused on the bilatreal relations between South Africa and Bulgaria. The expose of H.E. Mr. Thage included information about the South Africa’s foreign policy Locus, the investment promotion of the country, the economic transformation and reform. Then continued with key Facts about South Africa and the relations with Bulgaria, as well as he bilateral economic relations. The presentation, as expected, raised a number of questions and a long question and answer session followed.
Rotary Cub Sofia International would like to thank H.E. Mr. Thage, his wife Mrs. Busisiwe Thage, Mr. Mashudubele Mamabolo, Chargé d’affaires a.i. and invite them to visit our regular meetings and fundraising events, such as the 15th Birthday Celebration of the club, whenever they have possibility to do so.
After the official part, the fellowship continued with lots of photos and informal conversations and discussions.
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Donation of Food Supplies for Orthodox Easter by Rotary Club Sofia International to Together for Serdika (Initiative Committee) again. We at Rotary Club Sofia International recognize the need for continued support of individuals and families in need of food during these trying times. A one time donation, though well intended, can potentially have little impact on people’s lives. Since Rotary is committed to helping people in less fortunate circumstances we made it our goal in this project to extend this help throughout this crisis to the best of our ability.
Rotary Club Sofia International donated vital food products for people in need. The initiative was organized with the support of 
SALOON – American Pub
Results form the 
The 
Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Human Body presentation by the club’s member Dr. Tessy Tian, PHD was the topic of the regular meeting on 19 February 2020. The meeting itself was held in the home base Hilton Sofia. All present members and guests were moved by Dessy’s presentation, which was very interesting and practical.
Fondue was the topic of the meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International on 12 February. It was hosted by our dearest Rotary friend Mrs. Linda Kim. She was so kind to invite in her home the members for a 
The District Governor of District 2482 – Bulgaria, Mr. Mitko Minev visited Rotary Club Sofia International on 4 February 2020. He was together with the Assistant District Governor for Zone Sofia Mr. Konstantin Yanakiev. The meeting was, as usual, hosted by our long term partners Hilton Sofia.
On 22 January 2020 the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands H.E. Mrs. Bea Ten Tusscher held a presentation during the regular meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International. The meeting, as usual, took place in Hilton Sofia. We were, once again, happy to welcome numerous guests: H.E. Thabo Thage, the Ambassador of South Africa to Bulgaria (our presenter form 
A presentation by H.E. Mr. Thabo Thage, the Ambassador of South Africa to Bulgaria at the regular meting of Rotary Club Sofia International took place on 15 January 2020. The meeting was entirely dedicated to the presentation of H.E. Mr. Thabo Thage. Thus after the official opening the President Mr. Plamen Kertev welcomed the guests and gave the floor to H.E. The presentation focused on the bilatreal relations between South Africa and Bulgaria. The expose of H.E. Mr. Thage included information about the South Africa’s foreign policy Locus, the investment promotion of the country, the economic transformation and reform. Then continued with key Facts about South Africa and the relations with Bulgaria, as well as he bilateral economic relations. The presentation, as expected, raised a number of questions and a long question and answer session followed.
