Volunteers from the Generations Together foundation spend their Saturdays at the St. Basil home for the elderly in Plovdiv. They talk with the people there, go for walks or to cultural events together, exchange thoughts, even dreams…

It is granny Tanya’s dream to have a rose garden to tend. And in her imagination her dream has come true. What she needs is a little help – in fact several pairs of hands.

“The last time we visited with granny Tanya she said she would be glad of some help from volunteer gardeners to tend the flower garden at the home together with her,” says Margarita Gancheva, chair of the foundation. “And we quickly picked a date – 22 June, from 9 until 11, the address – 28, Komatevsko Shosse Blvd. People need to wear sensible clothes, and bring gloves, a hoe, brooms, rakes, trash bags, and if someone was to bring a lawn mower or at least pruning shears, that would be just wonderful. And as granny Tanya has green fingers, she will gladly take the role of “project manager” of the initiative.”

What else can we do to support the elderly people there to make them more comfortable in their shared home?

“When we have been to see them at the home we have noticed what the dining room where they have their breakfast, lunch and dinner is like,” Margarita Gancheva says. “It is a big room that is in need of renovation – new tables and new chairs. On every one of the six floors they have small living rooms, and there too the furniture is shabby. So, if anyone is buying new furniture and is wondering what to do with their old furniture, they can bring it along to the home. People there would be glad of new coffee tables, book shelves, cupboards.”

The elderly people from the home need diversions, especially now that the weather is so nice it is not good for them to stay indoors.

“We have been to the theatre together, to restaurants, to cafes,” Margarita Gancheva says. “Some of them even want to go hiking in the mountain, and if we can find volunteers with an adventurous spirit, they can offer to take them directly, or go through the foundation. So, why not invite these elderly ladies and gentlemen out – to the theatre, to see a film, to a café, for a walk in the park – they would be happy to go out with someone they know. That is why it is best to go to the home first, together with the volunteers from the foundation and to meet the elderly people. Then you can communicate with them and make plans together.”

If you invite granny Tanya, she will tell you all about her children, about her work as cook, but also about her regular visits with the children at a kindergarten.

“There are 3 or 4 of us grans who go there,” granny Tanya says. “We read to them, for the New Year they made buns which we then baked. At Easter we dyed eggs together, and now, in May, we organized a big party with games at the kindergarten for the children who will be off to school in September. They were so happy.”

Photos: Diana Tsankova