Life in the Institute of Chirpan where I spent most of my time was almost good. I said "almost" because of course there were things we missed. A life like that teaches you a lot and at the same time it takes you with an enormous strength... You become a lonely wolf (...).

This is because in the Institute you find both love and hate, moments of tranquillity that make you smile and moments of sorrow... Great sorrow. And unfortunately you keep that sorrow. I hope you don't misunderstand me - we can love and we are not looking for pity. And even if you look for it, it's a wrong step to take. I'm sure of that... We get used to the idea that "the world owes us something" and we leave the institute naked: not prepared and without a direction to follow.

I was lucky, and I am still lucky, to meet fantastic people; starting from my first teacher, to the friends I have today. (...) God has given me the most beautiful thing in the world - friends... but I have the sensation that I am losing them very quickly...

(...) After the diploma I could have gone to other cities, but I chose Sofia - the city I grew to love whilst they operated on me for my speech defect. I've never been afraid of work. But with the money I earned I couldn't pay a rent and I was still unsure in my relations with people. I've worked in restaurants, as a messenger, as a sales assistant, as a cashier - lots of jobs but I have never been able to keep one. At times I failed in my work, but   only I am responsible for that. Nobody else. And there were a lot of people to help me. Never again will I make that mistake again, I just hope they give me one more chance...

In Sofia, as I was unable to pay the rent, I went to the Employment Bureau of the district. They sent me to a care centre: I didn't want to go back there but in the end I didn't have any other possibility. I wanted and I still want to escape from this life. It only brings me tears and sorrow. No, not for my sorrow, but for the others I see suffering. Sometimes for me as well, because I went to bed many nights without even having anything to eat. I was afraid...... because there's nothing more horrible than going to bed hungry and not having anyone to warm you up or to comfort you. I know that this sensation does not exist only for me and I feel even sorrier because of that.

But today my life is different - I'm looking towards the future with hope and enthusiasm. Yes, I know that there's the possibility that my world will collapse around me. Nobody can be sure that something of the kind will not happen to them. If I could, if I were sure that the sacrifice of my life could at least make one child completely happy then I would be glad to give it, without thinking about it too much. Because I know that a smile will light up, then another one and another one...

You can't expect anyone to understand you in these Institutes and Centres. Each of us "knocks" at the door with the hope of getting an answer to our cry for help. It's like that when your heart is so small and you have already experienced so much injustice... Perhaps one day everything will change... when the sun will shine on our path as well! I'm sure that that day will come!

                                                                                              Ivo Sofia, Bulgaria