In the small Roma village of Dabnitsa, Bulgaria, seven-year-old Samuil is about to take a big step: his very first day of school! But for his grandmother Nadka, who is raising him on her own after the sudden death of her husband, the excitement is mixed with worry.

Raising Samuil Through Heartbreak and Hardship

Samuil’s mother was just 15 when he was born and couldn’t care for him. His grandparents, Nadka and Kemal, stepped in to raise him as their own. The three shared a peaceful life on a small farm, until tragedy struck. Kemal, a hardworking herder, passed away suddenly from a heart attack.

“They called at three in the morning to tell me,” Nadka remembers. “I didn’t know how to break it to Samuil. He and Kemal were so close.”

Now a widow with limited income, Nadka struggles to cover even basic needs. When school approached, the costs quickly became overwhelming, textbooks, a uniform, and essential supplies all added up.

That’s when Mission Without Borders stepped in.

“Samuil!” called Ventsislav, a local MWB team member. “Come here! I have something special for you.”

Amazed, Samuil took the brand-new backpack Ventsislav handed him. As he unzipped it, his eyes filled with tears. Inside were notebooks, pencils, coloured pens, and everything he needed for school.

Nadka’s heart was full. “My grandson won’t be embarrassed anymore. This gift has taken a huge burden off my shoulders. I’m so grateful for the Mission’s support.”

“The backpack is excellent. My grandson will no longer be embarrassed in front of his classmates because we are poor.” - Nadka

“Having a backpack you love can boost a child’s enthusiasm for school, and their desire to learn.”, Ventsislav, MWB team member

The Back to School campaign is more than school supplies - it’s a powerful way to invest in a child’s confidence, self-worth, and future.