Education Bulgaria Project #26511

Train 20 Youth in Bulgaria in Food Service

A microproject by Phoenix Inspire

Project Report | Sep 5, 2017
We are moving forward but oh so slowly

By Mick Cooper | Founder of Phoenix Inspire

It could be argued that my last report was maybe a little too negative but life here in Bulgaria is not always an easy ride. I hope that this report lifts your spirits as well as mine.

I am pleased to let you know that all our documents to alter the venue from a cake operation into a meat venue are now lodged with the Vidin Municipality. Furthermore, I understand that a committee meeting will be held on Thursday 7th September to assess our application. I am told that are application is good and that there should be no problem. He says...... After waiting for one document to be signed and stamped for eight weeks all of a sudden we might be open soon. However, how long is soon? And yet as we have been waiting monthly expenses have been paid as they must without funds coming in.

Whilst I have been waiting for all the documentation to be bundled together I have been developing a new range of vegetarian burgers. In order to support and develop the abilities of those who wish and show a desire to learn new skills I need to have enterprise opportunities. These new products will be made under the banner of The Masters' Larder. I am working with a contact in Sofia who in turn is working with others to spread the word.

So where does this leave us? There is a light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully after September 7th that light will begin to shine brighter. I will post a swift message as soon as I know the outcome of the meeting.

On the flip side Phoenix Cafe and Bakery has really struggled with the summer and the lack of people in Vidin. Bulgaria might be unique as so many people leave the normal abode for the months of July and August. A lot of youngsters move to the villages to be with their grandparents. This has had an impact on many food outlets in Vidin. Hopefully, now that we are now in September I will be able to help Niki and Orlina promote the work of Phoenix Cafe and Bakery and regain the customers that disappeared for the summer.

On a separate note and one which reminds us of the difficulties here in Vidin. According to the national press a company was, I say was, looking to develop a factory here in Vidin. The problem was the number of skilled workers in the city. It was felt that there were insufficient adults who were skilled or willing to be skilled. As a consequence there will be no new factory here. Will this impact upon our work? I don't think so as we have a good reputation for investing in human capacity.

In conclusion there is a light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully after September 7th I will be able to present more good news.

Best wishes and thank you for sticking with our efforts.

Permalink

May 31, 2017
Thank you for your support

By Mick Cooper | Founder of Phoenix Inspire

Whilst the micro project has come to an end the work continues over here in Bulgaria. Infact we have blended the work at the Masters' Larder along with the work at Phoenix Cafe and Bakery into a much larger project in the hope of saving valuable funds whilst developing a wider team.

After months of frustration and the speed or lack of speed by specialists here in Vidin I am pleased to say that today, May 31st, I presented our specifications documents to the Vidin Food Agency. After assessing our HACCP systems, recipes and processes, electric, water, energy and architect drawings someone from the agency will come to the new venue to look at what has been done. Hopefully, after this visit we will be issued with our license. The next stage will be taking these same documents and some more to the local council to gain yet another license. Once we have both licenses we will have our own shop and distribution centre within the same venue. Whilst it is not a big venue it is an important venue in terms of potential and the future.

As we begin slowly at the Larder we will employ two young adults from different backgrounds. Bobby is Roma and without a professional background. Svetlina has experience of working in the hospitality industry. In fact she worked at Phoenix Cafe for a little time. I am giving her a second chance, a rare event for me.

On the downside events at Phoenix Cafe and Bakery have taken a different turn. Niki and Orlina are looking after the management of the cafe. We have been supporting Pavlina whilst working at the Cafe. Her sudden departure is symtematic of the mentality in some Bulgarian heads. Pavlina has gone off searching for the pot of gold (more money for less) at the Black Sea Coast whilst not realising that there is no such thing without other costs. One of the biggest issues facing employers here in Bulgaria and no doubt in other parts of the planet is the lack of commitment and vision. We face a difficult and frustrating challenge. Our target audience is those who struggle to focus on such matters.

A piece of good news to finish this final report. In order to develop the English language and customer care skills of our future employees I am going to work with a single mother form the Roma group that I am helping to learn English. Desi has retail experience and is good with customers. These attributes and the enthusiasm that she has I am sure will be beneficial to our future plans.

Thank you for your support so far. I hope that our plans for the future encourage you to continue to support our efforts

Best wishes. Mick

Permalink

May 8, 2017
Almost there

By Mick Cooper | Creator of the Masters' Larder

our logo

Good afternoon to you all

As this is a micro-project this will be a summary report of where we are and what we have to do to cross that line that keeps moving!

I am pleased to report that all repairs are now finished. Whilst there are a number of activities still to take place the vast majority of work at the Masters' Larder is now complete. The real issue now is paper work. I have identified two members of staff who will work with me at the outset; Bobbi in the preparation area and Svetla in the shop. However, until we have the licences I am not in a position to offer them a contract.

HACCP, that great American invention is a key document here in Europe. As the Masters' Larder will be producing bacon, gammon, sausages and a range of other processed products I have to create all the necessary paperwork to enable us to comply with HACCP needs. This includes processes, recipes and information labels. This has not been made any easier by the consultants that we have been working with. We are now on our third set of consultants! The second set have proved to be expensive in a number of ways; including valuable time and money.

Bobbi is a member of an English language group that I am helping at a church in the Roma quarter. Bobbi is 29 years of age, married with children and at the moment working from ad-hoc to ad-hoc jobs. It is my intention to give him the chance to learn a trade and gain some skills.

Svetla did work with me at Phoenix Cafe but left before the summer of last year. She is back in Vidin after taking some bad advice. I am giving Svetla a second chance despite my mantra of only giving out one.

So whilst I have staff waiting in the wings equipment that will be needed is being serviced, installed, cleaned and prepared for our eventual opening. Having made a number of changes to the location, as directed by the last set of consultants, I just hope that it will all fit in.

Thank you to those of you who are supporting my efforts, it is greatly appreciated.

Best wishes

Mick

Permalink

1 2 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can recieve an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.