By Elena Ivanova, YES 2015-2016 Bulgaria, hosted by AFS in Colorado Springs, CO

From August 12-13, 2016, six YES alumni met in Varna, Bulgaria to get to know each other, share their experiences, discuss ideas for future alumni projects, and volunteer together.

Summer and sea have always been an inseparable combination, and we [YES alumni] were extremely lucky to feel the charm of the long sunny days and endless sandy beaches during a recent weekend of volunteering in Varna, the beautiful sea capital of Bulgaria. On Saturday morning, we volunteered to serve and cook food for the poor and the homeless in St. Archangel Mihail church, which is located in the center of Varna. When we arrived, there was already a small group of helpers, most of whom were visitors to the church, and they were all happy to hear that were coming to help. We put on our aprons and got to work. Hours went by quickly as we cooked, cleaned, and prepared tables and benches for the lunch. It made a strong impression on me that people began arriving to wait for the lunch early in the morning, and that the families all knew each other. As the adults conversed on the benches, their kids played on the small playground in the church.

In the end, once the food was cooked, there was an unbelievable quantity of food! We made about 300 liters of lentil soup, prepared more than 15 trays of cucumbers, and also had 3 big crates with loaves of bread and 2 huge watermelons. More than 200 people came and gathered in line waiting for food. It made me sad to see so many hungry and sick people, but despite the poverty, misfortune, and illnesses, they were smiling and laughing. They were strong and I admired their positivity and optimism. They had a great impact on us, not only because we saw how unfair life can be, but also because we had the chance to meet people with such warm and grateful hearts and to hear their touching stories.

Volunteering brings a unique feeling of being useful, worthy, and important. That is how we felt at the end of the day. It is really important to show people in need that they are supported and not alone. Sometimes having some hope is all you need to keep going on. Whether it is serving lunch, donating clothes, or just a warm smile, we can all help with a little something.