Training 20 Adults in the Poorest Area of Bulgaria

Good evening from Vidin, Bulgaria
The social enterprise, Phoenix Cafe and Bakery has now been in operation almost 10 weeks. In those 10 weeks we have seen a number of changes, some for the better and some not so good. 

Our two trainees Rosa and Svetlar are doing well.  Rosa has been given the challenge of proving to me that she has the ability to take on more responsibility by April 2017.  If Rosa can demonstrate that she has the ability I will be able to concentrate my efforts on developing the training programmes instead of working full time.  Svetlar on the other hand is progressing slowly with the odd hic-up here and there.   We have to accommodate the mistakes that are made by them both but this is the nature of our particular social enterprise.  Developing skills and knowledge in a live environment is not without its risks.  However, when Rosa and Svetlar are working well there is no better feeling that seeing the progress that they have made.

Our cutomers continue to support us by purchasing a wide variety of products.  The customer profile is different as is there buying patterns.  We are just about financially stable from month to month.  Now that the redevelopment costs have finished I can now state that the funds generated prior to and during January did not cover all expenses.  Hopefully, over the course of this year we will be able to pay back the loans that we taken to ensure that Phoenix Cafe and Bakery was completed.  In reality we are about 8,000 BG Leva short. 

Phoenix Cafe and Bakery is a social enterprise in that its first priority is the development of young adults.  Income to cover costs is essential but only to ensure that the social enterprise continues and evolves.  As a result of our philosophy and experience we were asked to speak at a conference which was held in the offices of the Governor of Montana, Bulgaria.  The topic of the conference was Social Enterprises.  Based upon the reaction and questions throughout the day it became evident that very few attending actually understood what a social enterprise is.  Hopefully and based upon our input the knowledge of the attendees is now much better.  I hope that we will be able to support other social enterprises in the future.  More information to follow on this matter.

I will pen another report in May which I hope will have some photos of Rosa and Svetla.

Thank you for your support in the past and if you are able please support us once more

Best wishes from Bulgaria