A team of experts consisting of Vesselin Trendafilov, Angel Angelov (exterior expert in cattle) and Stefan Hristov visited foundation “BOLNI OT ASTMA”- Yambol. The aim of the visit was to review and discuss key issues of ongoing initiatives. In the office of the foundation we were presented with two proposals for initiatives – purchase of 5 cows in Kozarevo and purchase of equipment for fast food restaurant in Strajevo.
During our visit on site we met the specifics of the initiative for purchasing equipment for fast food restaurant. The applicant intended to open a small restaurant for fast food and snacks. Nearby there were several food stores. Only there’s a pizza shop, which however at the time of visit was not open. The building where the fast food restaurant will be placed was a massive structure of 20 sq. m. At the time of visit a renovation of the building was going on (cementing the front of the entrance and plastboarding the ceiling). Still there were more issues to be solved – there were missing water closets, which were mandatory according to authorities. It was necessary the candidate to register a company and take operating license. Foundation “BOLNI OT ASTMA” engaged supporting the candidate with the administrative license. The man had a main job at the municipality where he had a stable income. He had many contacts as organizing workers for agricultural cooperation – potential clients. Candidate’s concrete needs included purchase of a horizontal fridge with glass door, vertical refrigerator, a couple of tables with benches and shelves for the products. The initiative will be reconsidered in details on later stage and will be funded when all administrative papers and license are available.
We visit on site several land plots. The first plot was 1 dka with house and farm building within. The candidate was willing to purchase the plot and cultivate crops. Unfortunately the owner of the plot was abroad. The initiative will be discussed again, when the owner is present.
We visited another plot (1.6 dkas, unfenced). The candidate was dealing buying and drying herbs. The plot would be used as drying facility; a shed for herbs would be built. We instructed the partner to check all the property documentation and if possible to negotiate a discount of the plot price (asking price of 5000 BGN). If all the papers are in order, the deal will be funded
After discussing the proposal for initiative for the purchase of 5 cows in the office of our partner we visited on site the applicant. The candidate lived in own house in Kozarevo together with his family (wife and 3 children). The candidate was familiar with the specifics of raising cattle. All the family was involved in the process. Currently the family owned 5 cows and 5 calves (all males). They would like to purchase 5 more cows. With 10 cows of their own they would be eligible to get cooling bath for milk. In the yard there was a cowshed suitable for the animals. For the new animals the candidate was building an expansion to the shed. In the farm there were pigs, chickens and turkeys. The family did not own land so had to buy feed. Milk from cows was purchased from a local dairy. The family had raised cattle from only 2 years, but they were strongly motivated and their effort and desired showed in our conversations. Our decision was to fund the initiative and instructed the partner to continue searching for animals and finalize a deal.
We checked on another ongoing initiative for the purchase of 4 cows, again fulfilled by our partner Foundation “BOLNI OT ASTMA”. We visited Okop, and inspected the cowshed where animals were kept. The animals were out for grazing and we checked them on site. The animals were well fed and taken good care. The owners did not mention any health issues. The family was motivated and prospective. Our recommendation was to prolong our cooperation with the young family.
