Bulgarian Orphan Baby Struggles On

In March 2009, I visited baby Boshidara at her orphanage in Bulgaria as a part of the organization One Heart Bulgaria. Boshidara, whose name means "God's gift", suffers from hydrocephalus and severe neglect. One Heart Bulgaria has assisted with her medical care in order to help get her condition under control, but when I saw her, she looked worse than ever before. Her head had grown, even with a 2nd shunt replacement . Her thin, frail & practically lifeless body was skin and bones--without any muscle tone--and covered in ants, some of which were eating her flesh. She was also now blind.

In this video you will see what was probably my last visit with Boshidara. What a beautiful and courageous little spirit she is! I hope she inspires you as much as she has inspired me. She is my hero.

To learn how you can help more orphan babies like Boshidara, please visit http://www.oneheart-bg.org/

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• One Heart Bulgaria
• Bulgaria
• orphans
• orphanages
• Boshidara
• babies
• humanitarian work
• hydrocephalus

[RSWells100]

Why? Stand there and make the statement, that the child is covered in ants, and do nothing but stroke her face....Where is the concern for the child's welfare...by removing her from the ant filled crib.....Love her dearly, by removing the ant filled sheets, pj's, cleaning the child gently and cleaning the bleeding wounds!...

[1heartbg]

@RSWells100 I picked off as many ants as I could find. We also addressed her wounds. The orphanage nurses wouldn't allow us to pick her up because her neck and head were too fragile. I insisted on spraying the place for bugs, but they wouldn't let me do that either. Fortunately we got one of our staff members in there to help nurture the children. The bugs are gone now.

[eguth2008]

How is the little girl now? I hope she is doing better or is in peace being with Jesus and God. It is not God's fault this happened.  I agree with above, God has given us humans chances and choices to make and this is because of cruel, inhumane and ignorant people, not God. I am sure He will get her when the time comes if not already! Suffering is a way God comes to us and He will if we suffer for His sake. She is a brave and strong girl!

[1heartbg]

@eguth2008 Boshidara passed away 2 years ago in June. The bugs are gone now and we have a staff member there helping to nurture the little ones. We are also working on creating a hospital unit at this orphanage to help save other babies just like her. Boshidara is a hero!

[patsymccoss]

sorry i have to ask

why when you said there are ants in her pj's did you then cover her back up? why did you say you were there to give her all the love you could 'for a few minutes' that really upset me what stopped you picking her up and holding her bathing her or just taking her to the nearest dahm hospital ?

was she even given pain medication there?

[1heartbg]

@patsymccoss I did pick the ants out. I wish I didn't say "for a few minutes" too b/c really we were there w/ her for quite a while. That's just want came out of my mouth when they were filming me. She was too fragile to move & besides, the orphanage staff wouldn't allow it. They see this kind of thing all the time. They are used to it. Fortunately, we are working to create a hospital unit at this orphanage so that this kind of thing never happens again. We really are doing something about it.

[1heartbg]

Just received word today from our director in Bulgaria that Boshidara has passed. I am happy for her! Finally she can rest from the awful life she endured. She's now back safe in God's arms to be loved like she should have been all along.

[1heartbg]

@hmala I am the girl in the video. Believe me, there have been many times when I just can't make sense of all this. It wasn't God's fault that she was treated this way.It wasn't God who did this, but ignorant people.God allows people to make their choices.He'll even let us ruin our own lives.Life is not just about happiness, but lots of suffering.Perhaps we learn r greatest lessons in suffering. B/c of Boshidara, many other babies are being saved.Perhaps THAT was God's bigger plan.She's a hero!

[tootmt]

People don't realize the socioeconomic realities that go into what we are seeing in this video. Often there is to little staff and money. The family simply can't afford the cost.....and people need their child to care for them when they become the "Olds" and if a child is disabled that will not happen.  There are variables that go into this.

[scandia61]

Poor little kid...does Bulgaria allow people from other countries to adopt their children?

[Sofia0527]

Why is everyone complaining about how she didnt do this and that? Give thanks to her for helping out as much as she could. Seriously this video was sad enough and to be reading the rude comments people are saying about the woman who is helping is just shameful. I will pray for the children in the orphanage so Allah can protect them from any harm and also put mercy in the hearts of families to be able to adopt a child and put them in a warm welcoming home.

[RSWells100]

I understand the reasoning too leave the child alone, due, to her weakened state of health. Glad too hear the bugs are gone. Forgive my quick passion and comment, your mercy for these children, bring honor on your soul. keep your loving heart open, and bless you for reaching out in a world that many would run from, one child at a time!

[Ferarigrl]

I am so upset that this precious little soul was kept in these conditions, and the only person who cares about her well being is someone who is visiting from afar... if only the people who work here cared so much!! MAYBE SHE WOULD HAVE HAD A CHANCE. FUCKING EVIL PEOPLE. How can they do this?? how can they just let them wither away? there shouldn't be orphanages there if this is their only option of living. I am so sad and heartbroken, I can't watch anymore videos. 1heartbg u r a hero.

[Ferarigrl]

@1heartbg Did you find out why the people there did not follow up w/ her care after you got her the operations/shunt things? If I were you I'd be furious... to put this kind of work in... and to see others let it go out the window. this poor little baby suffers, laying in her crib all day and night, unable to speak of the pain ravaging her little body. in my opinion it isn't fair to keep her alive in this condition. honestly... she deserves to be at peace.