There are more than 200,000 Bulgarian families who have been waging a battle for years to make their dream come true – the dream of having a child of their own. The state, municipalities and the “I want a baby” foundation all chip in to help finance the in vitro fertilization procedures.

The “I want a baby” foundation was set up in Veliko Turnovo 11 years ago, but has been more active since 2011 when the “In vitro” municipal fund was founded to help couples with fertility problems. Thanks to the smooth partnership between the municipality and the foundation, and to their joint efforts, 52 healthy babies have been born in Veliko Turnovo over the past 7 years.

It took Plamen Nikolov and his wife seven years to make their own dream of having a baby come true. A dream that has been fulfilled twofold – they have twins conceived by in vitro fertilization.

“I have two beautiful girls born exactly one year ago thanks to the efforts of the doctors, and of the “I want a baby” foundation, and I am really happy after 8 years of failed attempts, 8 years of hardship and heartache.”

It has been 12 years since Elena Chervenkova has been battling for the happiness of having children of her own.

“When you can help someone else, it is so much better to do so,” says 40-year old Elena from Veliko Turnovo, who has not given up the fight for a baby, and has been a volunteer for the foundation for 4 years.

“This is a battle we have been fighting. We don’t have any children yet. But we are not giving up, ultimately, there are alternatives. If things don’t work out one way, we shall look for another. Adoption is one solution. But a person must be ripe for such a decision. It is the same with in vitro fertilization. I know people who say: I can’t imagine going through something like this. We all make our own choices.”

The most difficult thing of all is to acknowledge there is a problem, to discuss it, and then to find support in the fight for having a baby. To begin with, couples with fertility problems feel embarrassed, then they do not know who to turn to, but any problem can be resolved, says Elena Cherveknkova and never loses hope her own dream will be fulfilled.

“I never imagined I was so strong. You fail, but you go on, you fall, and there are times that are really hard, every failed attempt, words – someone says something without even realizing how offensive it may be. The first years most people I know kept saying: Come on, isn’t there going to be a baby? And you don’t know what to say. It is so difficult to just come out and say: Yes, we have a problem!”

To support couples with fertility problems in the region of Veliko Turnovo, the “I want a baby” foundation is organizing Sunday charity bazaars in Marno Pole park in Veliko Turnovo for hand-made objects, as well as donated children’s clothing and shoes, says coordinator for the region Veronica Mihailova and adds:

“A procedure like this is a heavy financial burden for any family budget. Even though, at a government and at a municipal level these procedures are assisted financially, the initial tests themselves, the steps that have to be taken beforehand are in themselves expensive. We shall endeavour to help some couple with the money we raise. I would be happy to know one more baby has been born.”

English version: Milena Daynova