A team of experts consisting of Dimitar Georgiev, Vesselin Trendafilov and Stefan Hristov visited foundation “BOLNI OT ASTMA”- Yambol, where we were introduced to two proposals for initiatives.
First initiative discussed in the office of the Foundation along with a young Roma family was for the purchase of cows. They intended to get 6 cows on the amount of 9200 BGN. The family owned a house with big yard in village Okop, where was situated a big farm building suitable for raising cattle. The roma family was young and motivated. The husband had a rich background raising animals at his father’s farm. He was well familiar with the activities engaged in the raising cattle. The chosen cows were from good herd with excellent characteristic regarding age, exterior and milk yield. After discussing various models for executing the initiative we came up with the decision in the begging to be purchased 4 animals and if everything goes well we shall consider the possibility to purchase more animals.
The second initiative concerned the purchase of land in village of Djinot, by a woman with Roma origin. Currently the property was rented to her, but she was willing to purchase it. She grew vegetables in two greenhouses. After getting the land she intended to increase the yield as expanding the greenhouses. Our concerns were regarding the price of the property which was very high – 5000 BGN for just 0.5 dkas. Our recommendation was to look for a property at lower price.
The third proposal for initiative was similar and concerned the purchase of land for garden center. The area’s plot was approx. 500 sq. m. The major problem was the high price of the property – 10 000 BGN, which was unrealistic and overstated, since in our preliminary research we found more bargain properties. The price was not negotiable. We refused to fund the purchase of the concrete parcel. As the proposal for initiative was perspective, our recommendation was to search for another property with reasonable price to renew the discussion.
Another initiative came from our partner “SVIAT BEZ GRANICI” – Stara Zagora. We visited Sheinovo to get familiar with the proposal. The candidate was a young initiative man from roma origin, who cultivated cereals and alfalfa in a land of 160 dkas from which 140 dkas were rented by him. The man was married with two young children. The young family had support by the parents of the man. His proposal was to purchase a bale packing machine as so far he was forced to use the paid service of another. We discussed the proposal in details. Our decision was to postpone the purchase of a bale packing machine due to the fact that now was peak of the season for baling, the prices of the machines are high and low choice of models at the market. Instead we proposed a purchase of land approx. 10 dkas on the unit price of 500 BGN/dka which for the moment was the better alternative. Later this year the proposal for the purchase of bale packing machine will be reconsider. At this stage we would fund the purchase of land, subject to availability.
