Training 20 Adults in the Poorest Area of Bulgaria

Good morning to you all

I trust that you are well and in good health.  Vidin, like all of Bulgaria at this moment, is under snow and coping with minus temperatures and will continue to do so for a little while longer.

We signed the rental agreement for the old bakery last week and began to refurbish the day after.  We knew that it would be hard work to convert the old bakery into a charcuterie operation, but I don't think we understood just how bad.  I have uploaded a group of photos which shows you what it was like.

In order to make sure that we are doing things correctly we met with a Food Inspector to get her advice and recommendations.  Whilst it was good to do so we have to make a number of construction improvements to create a professional environment and prevent cross contamination.  This will increase costs but in the end we will have a professional operation for us to develop new skills within.  The Food Inspector asked 'was I going to make this place as good as Phoenix Cafe and Bakery'?  I answered 'yes'.  If you have good standards based upon your experience you don't know any difference.

In order to create as many opportunities as possible and generate a sustainable future we are going to create a shop area in the new vision.  This will not be our key source of income but it does give us the opportunity to develop good retail skills.  We will sell our products to the local community.  For many they will have never tasted or seen our products.  As we develop our reputation for quality products more customers will come to sample.  I am told that a growing number of Bulgarians are now looking for quality products instead of volume for little money.  I am sure that our hand crafted bacon, gammon, hams, sausages and other meat based products will be successful and meet these needs.

I hope that you like the dream and vision.  If you are able to spare any loose change please donate and help me create a new opportunity for this area.

Thank you

Mick