Preparation for MED-Bul Project 2021 for donation of nearly new medical equipment worth more than 46,000 EUR from a hospital in Germany to SBAL Children’s Hospital „Prof. Dr. Ivan Mitev“ in Sofia and hospitals in the region of Bansko is currently ongoing.
Thus, we are happy to announce that Rotary Club Sofia International will continue with its MED-Bul project. After the successful donations of medical equipment to 3 Bulgarian Hospitals, it is time to realize the next edition of the project – MED-Bul 2021.
It all began with our dear friend and former member Dr. Snejana Doncheva, now member of Rotary Club Bansko-Razlog contacting Dr. Sigrun Comati, also a member of Rotary Club Bansko-Razlog and President of the German-Bulgarian Society for the Promotion of Relations between Germany and Bulgaria and her spouse. This acquaintance quickly turned into a proposal for a cooperation between Rotary Club Rüsselsheim/Gross-Gerau, Rotary Bansko-Razlog, and Rotary Club Sofia International. As a result the three clubs are now organizing a donation of nearly new medical equipment from the German hospital Unfallklinik Murnau to Bulgaria.
The beneficiaries are SBAL Children’s Hospital „Prof. Dr. Ivan Mitev“ in Sofia and hospitals in the region of Bansko. Rotary Club Sofia International in coordination with Rotary Club Banko-Razog and Rotary Club Rüsselsheim/Gross-Gerau is now organizing the transport of the equipment.
Below is a summary of the MED-Bul 2021 Project:
Donation current value is more than 46,000 EUR:
Including: 35 clinic beds worth 800 EUR each or 28,000 EUR in total market value.
Plus 4 anesthetic and 2 endoscopy towers with average market value 3,000 EUR each or 18,000 EUR in total.
Two deliveries being planned by the beginning of November – one truck with 35 medical beds and a second truck with anesthetic/endoscopy appliances.
The transportation cost from Germany to Bulgaria, are 3,180 EUR.
Thanks to the generous donations from: Broker Defense; Publishing Company Sunray; Rotary Club Ferney-Voltaire, Ms. Ani Hristova, Past President of Rotary Club Sofia International; Ms. Teodora Tsvetkova (the newest friend of Rotary Club Sofia International); Mr. Grant Dale, Mrs. Linda Kim, Mr. Anders Nielsen, Mr. Claude Badan, members of Rotary Club Sofia International; Mr. Horst Stüer, Past President of Rotary Club Sofia International; Mr. Jörg Schenk, Past President of Rotary Club Sofia International; Mr. David Afek from Rotary Club Hod HaCarmel, Israel, Mr. Tristan Valadier a regular guest of our club,, thus far we raised 3,280 EUR.
If you would like to support the next phases of MED-Bul Project 2021, please, contribute to Rotary Club Sofia International’s donation account below:
BANK : DSK BANK AD / Банка ДСК АД
Holder : ROTARY CLUB SOFIA INTERNATIONAL
IBAN : BG49STSA93000027355924
BIC : STSABGSF
National Climbing of Musala peak organized yearly by Rotary Club Samokov was held on 3 September 2021. Three members of Rotary Club Sofia International participated this year to continue the tradition of our participation in the event. Mrs. Linda Kim, Mrs. Inna Badan and Mr. Claude Badan – arrived in Borovets on 2 September. They were welcomed by Mrs. Lyudmila Barzanova from Rotary Club Samokov and were invited for a dinner.
The next morning the National Musala peak climbing took place. Musala is the highest peak in the Rila Mountains, as well as in Bulgaria and the entire Balkan Peninsula, standing at 2,925 meters (9,596 ft).
Representatives of 7 clubs participated in the National Musala peak climbing. Namely: Rotary Club Sofia International, Rotary Club Momchilovgrad, Rotary Club Bansko-Razlog, Rotary Club Gotse Delchev, Rotary Club Sandanski, Rotary Club Sliven and Rotary Club Dupnitsa. The event was honored by the presence of the District Governor of Rotary Bulgaria Mr. Borislav Kadrekov and the Secretary of the District Mrs. Lyudmila Barzanova.
The President of Rotary Club Samokov Mrs. Ekaterina Vadadzhiyska presented gifts to the visiting clubs. While all children from 5 to 16 years old received medals for their participation.
The evening program that followed the climb was fun and with lots of music and dancing. The friendly atmosphere predisposed for many new acquaintances.
On behalf of Rotary Club Sofia International we would like to thank Mrs. Lyudmila Barzanova for the hospitality.
Meeting with District Governor Mr. Borislav Kadrekov during an unofficial meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International was held at Club of the Architects Restaurant on 21 July 2021. Special guests were also the Assistant DG Mr. Alexander Vassilev, as well as, representatives from Louis Braille School for kids with impaired vision – the Director Mr. Velkov and his assistant. During the meeting more than 20 people were present – members and guests.
Firstly, we had a Board meeting from 6 pm and there was a presentation of Louise Braille School’s Director. The school is looking for financial support for the entrance of Daily Professional Educational Center for kids and young people with disabilities – visually impaired, mental and others. Mr. Velkov presented the current facilities and conditions where pupils will be educated in the upcoming year and an offer for the repair works needed. We took a decision to support the project from our club with а donation for the reconstruction works for the entrance of the Center.
Afterwards, at 7 pm started the meeting with District Governor Mr. Borislav Kadrekov and the Assistant District Governor Mr. Alexander Vassilev. Our current President Ms. Hristina Malchevska opened with a presentation of our club’s projects and events realized and supported during the past Rotarian years. Thanks to the individual and joint efforts of our members and friends – Rotarians from other countries and Bulgaria – throughout the years there have been many successful projects in different areas for the total amount of more than 1 million EUR.
Later, followed the presentation of our District Governor regarding the Theme of this Rotarian year – Serve to Change Lives,. He stressed on a few actions each Rotary club should focus on, as follows:
Active Rotarian life and friendship;
At least one new member to join in our Rotary family for 2021/2022;
Projects helping society – District and Global Grants.
At the end, our president thanked our guests and club members for joining this evening and remind the Summer meetings’ venue: Club of the Architects Restaurant on 11 Krakra Street in Sofia every Wednesday at 7 pm. Members and guests are welcome to join, keep in touch and spend a great time together.
The Handover Ceremony of Rotary Club Sofia International took place on 23 June 2021 at Mind to Mind in Sofia. The event was realized in two parts. Official part followed by a cocktail for informal fellowship. The official meeting was organized in hybrid way and we had the honor to have online presence of members of RC Paris Agora as well as Mr. Michail Sougarev, Past President and member of our club. Physically present were more than 20 people – Rotary Club Sofia International members and their guests.
The official meeting and handover ceremony started with a very nice presentation of the President Mr. Marc Bouzy including a report of his year with the charitable actions, meetings organization, partnerships, international relations, as well as achievements during the year. After the presentation Mr. Marc Bouzy provided the President’s necklace to the new President Mrs. Hristina Malchevska as an official inauguration ceremony in Rotary.
The new President gave a short speech showing gratitude to Mr. Marc Bouzy for his wonderful Rotarian year, his dedication and time resulting in great charity actions, international relations development, and keeping the good spirit life nevertheless the pandemic. Afterwards, Mrs. Malchevska gave information about the summer meetings planned at the same place as last year in the Club of Architects in the center of Sofia, 11, Krakra Str., every Wednesday from 7 pm, starting 30 June 2021.
The fellowship continued with a nice buffet and cocktail, where members and guests enjoyed a great time together. The view from Mind to Mind was magnificent, because of its location on the roof of a 5 storey building.
Rotary Club Zlatograd-Nedelino Summer Celebration took place over the weekend on 18-20 June 2021. Our members Ms. Hristova and Mr. Badan accompanied by our guest Mr. Dale attended the event. The festivities commenced with an informal dinner in a traditional Rodopean restaurant. We tried numerous traditional dishes such as “Patatnik” and “Rodopean kiln”. The entertainment was Kaba bagpipes. The dinner was attended by numerous friends on Friday in the old town of Zlatograd.
On Saturday we traveled to “Yagnevo” Complex (15 km from Zlatograd). 17 clubs took part in a friendly games day with air rifle, archery, catapult and fishing competitions. Rotary Club Sofia International took part and placed a commendable third place in the archery and second place in air rifle competition and received certificates for the achievement. After that we all celebrated with traditional spit-roasted lamb. All in all the day was a resounding success, despite the occasional showers, fellowship and fun prevailed.
The official dinner was superbly organized and the President of Rotary Club Zlatograd-Nedelino, Mr. Rumen Pehlivanov welcomed the guests. After that the word was given to the Assistant District Governor, Mr. Mehmed Ismail who opened the evening with a pleasant speech. Later on Mrs. Suzana Golemilova presented the 15 years of projects of the club – our friends also celebrated their 15 Year Birthday.
A special mention was made of the project between Rotary Club Paris Agora, Rotary Club Sofia International and Rotary Club Zlatograd-Nedelino for the local hospital. More information here and here.
Furthermore, there was the Rotary Chain exchanging ceremony of our host club and Rotary Club Smolyan and the traditional cutting of the cake for the birthday of the host club. The Past presidents of Rotary Club Zlatograd-Nedelino were invited to cut the cake together. The hosts of the evening were Mr. Dimitar Alendarov and Mrs. Emilia Valenti – finalist from “The Voice of Bulgaria”. Ms. Valenti, together with the opera singer Mr. Veselin Vachev gave an amazing performance.
The program of the night was colorful: Kaba bagpipes and traditional Rodopean songs, Bulgarian dances, Russian songs, Spanish flamenco, Greek Zorba dance, Oriental dance presented by the local dance school. Music, traditional dancing and fellowship earmarked the wonderful night.
An interesting Sunday was filled with sightseeing and visits to the Ethnographic Complex – Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Delyo Voivoda, The church “St. George the Victorious”, Museum collection of the home icon in the Church of the Assumption and a school dating back hundreds of years (Cell school and Mutual school).
Our heartfelt thanks to Rotary Club Zlatograd-Nedelino for a superbly organized event and for their warm welcome of all the Rotary Club Sofia International members and guests. Special thanks again to our friends Mrs. Amediya and Mr. Emil Pashovi.
Twinning of Rotary Club of Hod Hacarmel and Rotary Club Sofia International was signed on 7 June 2021. This partnership was established after joint consideration and approval by the respective the Committees of Rotary Club Hod Hacarmel, District 2490, Israel and the Rotary Club Sofia International, District 2482, Bulgaria, in consideration of the friendship and fellowship that exists between the two Rotary Clubs, considering the 4th Object of Rotary which is “To advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service” and wishing to create links between the two countries.
The twinning agreement includes encouragement and maintenance of regular links between the two clubs in a spirit of cooperation and friendship, joint initiatives, in the service of communities, in particular by carrying out projects in the humanitarian, cultural and youth fields; and to keep each other informed of any other activity worthy of interest. Also to promote exchanges between their members on the occasion of meetings or events organized by both clubs.
Disaster Aid project presentation was hosted on 15 March 2021. Rotary Club Burgas, Rotary Club Burgas Pyrgos, Rotary Club Burgas – Primorie were the organizers of the event. Mrs Irena Brichta, Past District Governor of the Czech Republic and Slovakia District and member of Rotary Club Prague International aided by Mr Sruart presented the program. Disaster Aid International’s aim is to supply clean water for those who do not have access to it.
Lots of families around the world do not have access to good quality water. The project through the use of the SkyHydrant™ is trying to solve this issue. SkyHydrant™ is an extremely effective filter removing contaminated particles in water, including disease carrying bacteria. Each SkyHydrant™ costs around $ 5,000. The SkyHydrants can provide 10 000 liters of clean water per day.
Our friends from Disaster Aid Project in Europe have already helped with purifying the water after the earthquake in Albania, as well as, after the explosions in Beirut.
The program is looking for ambassador in each country, including also Bulgaria.
More information about the project can be found in the videos here and here.
The Past President of Rotary Club Sofia International Ms. Ani Hristova attended the presentation. She presented a brief summary of project to the members of the club during the regular online meeting.
An online meeting with Rotary Club Hod-Hacarmel, Israel, with President Mr. David Afek took place on 26 January 2021. The President and several members of Rotary Club Sofia International attended the meeting. The ICC Israel Bulgaria Committee Coordinator and members of the committee also participated. The District Governor of Rotary Israel together with a Bulgarian born lecturer spoke about the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The meeting laid the foundation for cooperation between Rotary Club Sofia International and Rotary Club Hod-Hacarmel. The two Presidents presented the activities and the projects of their clubs. It turned out that both clubs successfully realized medical supplies donation for hospitals projects during the Covid-19 pandemic. Apart from the historical ties and friendship between Israel and Bulgaria, the similar projects realized by the two clubs are a solid ground to start working towards a deeper cooperation. Both presidents expressed their willingness to further work in this direction.
As the meeting was held on the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the main topic was an extensive lecture on the Holocaust by a Bulgarian born speaker in Hebrew. Mr. Naftali Hillel, born in Vidin, Bulgaria presented a brief history of his birthplace country. He gratefully underlined in his presentation the saving of the Bulgarian Jews during the WWII by the Bulgarian authorities under the pressure of the society.
The online meeting with Rotary Club Hod-Hacarmel ended with a desire from both clubs to meet again soon.
Donation for Zlatograd Hospital by Rotary Club Sofia International in cooperation with Rotary Club Zlatograd-Nedelino took place on 23 January 2021. The two clubs handed out medical supplies for Zlatograd Hospital MBAL “Prof. Dr Asen Shopov”. The donation is for more than 6000 BGN. It consists of contactless thermometers, protective shields, disinfectants, protective overshoe supplies, protective aprons, gloves and bedlinen. The project realization was possible thanks to the individual contributions of members of the club (Mrs. Linda Kim, Mr. Claude and Mrs. Inna Badan, Mr. Jorg Shenk, Mr. Marc Bouzy). We also received a kind donation from Rotary Club Paris Agora, France. The remaining amount was drawn form the club’s funds.
The handover of the supplies was at the hospital in Zlatograd. Numerous members of Rotary Club Sofia International were present – Mrs Hristina Malchevska, President Elect 2021-2022, Ms Ani Hristova, Past President, Ms Elena Vasileva, Secretary Elect 2021-2022. Members of Rotary Club Zlatograd-Nedelino – Mr Emil Pashov, Past President, Mr Emil Pehlivanov, President also were there. The director of the Zlatograd Hospital, Dr Lyudmil Lichev, expressed his gratitude for the donations.
In the past two years Rotary Club Sofia International supported hospitals in in Shumen, Targovishte and Razgrad by providing medical equipment from Austria. A project in cooperation with Rotary Club Korneuburg and Rotary Club Klosterneuburg. Rotary Club Sofia International is pleased to continue with the medical donation activities this year, with the current project in support of a local municipal hospital in Zlatograd during the difficult pandemic period.
Ronald McDonald Foundation presentation at a regular online meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International took place on Wednesday, 11 November 2020. It was presented by our friend and President Elect Mrs. Hristina Malchevska.
There were 13 club members and the President Elect of Rotary Club Sofia Serdika attending the online meeting.
The meeting started with an update on the club’s project proposals for fundraising. Most of the projects are still in planning phase. More details will be available once the projects are conceptualized.
Next topic was concerning the positive steps being made with our Rotaract Club Sofia International in regards to restarting the club’s activities. Its financial stability also was elaborated upon.
Further on the President updated the participants on the ongoing developments and negotiations with software service providers. These are aiming at helping the club to digitalize its life in the situation of Covid-19 Pandemic.
The highlight of the meeting was a very interesting Ronald McDonald Foundation presentation delivered our friend Mrs. Hristina Malchevska.
The next meeting of the club will be held again online on 18 November 2020 from 18:45 h. All friends are welcome to join. Details on our website.
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Preparation for MED-Bul Project 2021 for donation of nearly new medical equipment worth more than 46,000 EUR from a hospital in Germany to SBAL Children’s Hospital „Prof. Dr. Ivan Mitev“ in Sofia and hospitals in the region of Bansko is currently ongoing.
National Climbing of Musala peak organized yearly by 
Meeting with District Governor Mr. Borislav Kadrekov during an unofficial meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International was held at 
The Handover Ceremony of Rotary Club Sofia International took place on 23 June 2021 at Mind to Mind in Sofia. The event was realized in two parts. Official part followed by a cocktail for informal fellowship. The official meeting was organized in hybrid way and we had the honor to have online presence of members of RC Paris Agora as well as Mr. Michail Sougarev, Past President and member of our club. Physically present were more than 20 people – Rotary Club Sofia International members and their guests.
Rotary Club Zlatograd-Nedelino Summer Celebration took place over the weekend on 18-20 June 2021. Our members Ms. Hristova and Mr. Badan accompanied by our guest Mr. Dale attended the event. The festivities commenced with an informal dinner in a traditional Rodopean restaurant. We tried numerous traditional dishes such as “Patatnik” and “Rodopean kiln”. The entertainment was Kaba bagpipes. The dinner was attended by numerous friends on Friday in the old town of Zlatograd.
Twinning of 
Disaster Aid project presentation was hosted on 15 March 2021. Rotary Club Burgas, Rotary Club Burgas Pyrgos, Rotary Club Burgas – Primorie were the organizers of the event. Mrs Irena Brichta, Past District Governor of the Czech Republic and Slovakia District and member of Rotary Club Prague International aided by Mr Sruart presented the program. Disaster Aid International’s aim is to supply clean water for those who do not have access to it.
An online meeting with 
Ronald McDonald Foundation presentation at a regular online meeting of Rotary Club Sofia International took place on Wednesday, 11 November 2020. It was presented by our friend and President Elect Mrs. Hristina Malchevska.
