Free Medical Access for Teenage Mothers, Bulgaria

Dear friends,

Since our last update, the medical center in Fakulteta has delivered nearly 200 medical examinations, including 86 for new patients. Each of these visits represents a step toward better health — and a reminder of the vital role your support plays in this community.

One of these stories belongs to Yulia, a 22-year-old woman experiencing her first pregnancy. Without health insurance and living in Glaveva mahala — one of the most deprived parts of an already under-resourced neighborhood — Yulia hadn’t received any prenatal care and feared for her baby’s future.

Thanks to your support, she found her way to the medical center. There, a caring team helped identify a potential issue with her pregnancy and referred her for a fetal morphology scan. But when she was hospitalized, she encountered a number of barriers: complex administrative procedures, lack of empathy, and dismissive treatment from hospital staff meant that the critical exam she needed was never performed.

Discouraged but not alone, Yulia returned to the medical center. The center’s OB-GYN, Dr. Yotova, stepped in and arranged a referral to a specialist at Sheinovo Hospital. This time, the scan was completed — and the results were positive.

From then on, Yulia’s pregnancy was closely monitored at the center. She has since given birth safely and now returns regularly with her newborn for pediatric check-ups, guidance, and support. Yulia is also enrolled in ongoing programs that offer social and parenting support as she builds a healthier, more stable life for herself and her child.

Yulia is no longer facing this journey alone — and her baby has the healthy start every child deserves.

Looking ahead, we know that next year will bring challenges. Until now, the center’s operations have been partially supported by additional funding secured by our hosting partner, the Health and Social Development Foundation. That support is coming to an end, and we’ll increasingly rely on donors like you to help sustain this vital work.

At the same time, we’re moving forward: we’ve recently succeeded in bringing a new doctor on board — a much-needed step that will strengthen the team and expand access for even more families.

Your continued support has never been more important. Please consider renewing your gift or sharing our campaign with others. Every donation brings hope, stability, and care to families in Fakulteta — and helps us ensure the center can continue to be there for people like Yulia, just when they need it most.

With gratitude,

Aylin

Dear friends,

Today, we want to introduce you to Ivana — a 22-year-old woman navigating her first pregnancy under incredibly tough circumstances.

Ivana lives with her mother in poverty and poor housing conditions. She is uninsured and currently separated from her partner. When she first arrived at the medical center in Fakulteta, she had not received any prenatal care. Her pregnancy was progressing without medical supervision — putting both her and her baby at serious risk.

Thanks to your support, Ivana was able to visit the OB-GYN at the medical center. Her first check-up identified concerns that required urgent follow-up. The team of the community center hosting the medical office helped arrange her hospitalization at a specialist maternity hospital and supported her throughout the process — offering not only logistical help but also emotional reassurance during a deeply uncertain time.

Fortunately, further tests showed the baby is developing well, and Ivana’s pregnancy is now proceeding normally. She continues to rely on the center for regular check-ups — because without your support, she simply has nowhere else to go.

Because of your generosity, Ivana isn’t facing motherhood alone. And just as importantly — when the time comes — this same center will be here to support her baby’s healthy start in life.

In the past three months alone, your generosity has made it possible to carry out 121 medical check-ups. 58 new patients came to see the doctors taking turns to examine at the medical center, showing dire barriers to healthcare access in Fakulteta. Each number reflects a real person — like Ivana — and a moment when someone felt seen, supported, and safe.

Thank you for being part of this work. Please consider renewing your gift or sharing our campaign with others. Together, we can continue to offer care, dignity, and hope — from one generation to the next.