site.bta110th Birth Anniversary of Bulgaria's Mother Teresa, Donka Paprikova

Donka Paprikova, a social worker and teacher, known as Bulgaria's Mother Teresa, was born on October 5, 1915 in Sofia.

She was a social counsellor in a textile factory and in the transport industry, a teacher of Russian. In 1989, together with her friends, she founded the Mother Teresa Home and, with the help of donations, delivered food to the homes of the elderly. Founder, in 1994, of the charitable society Hospice of Mercy, and of the first inpatient hospice in Bulgaria opened in May 1996, providing care for elderly, lonely and terminally ill people in the last stage of their lives. Opened a day care centre for elderly intellectuals Silver Autumn in 2001.

Winner of the Elizabeth Nargal prize of the International Women's Club for Social Activities in Frankfurt, Germany in 1997, of the Stara Planina Order, second degree, for her dedicated charity and exceptional services to Bulgarian society in the field of social assistance in June 2001. Honorary Citizen of Sofia in January 2002. Winner of the Humanity Foundation award for her contribution to humanity in 2005.

In 2009, three years after her death, the charitable society Hospice of Mercy was renamed the Donka Paprikova Charitable Association.

BTA's English-language Service often reported on Paprikova's activities. This is a report from 1997:

Memorial Service for Mother Teresa Held

Sofia, September 13 (BTA) - "Mother Teresa is a great woman, a saint. She has always been my role model," Donka Paprikova, 82, whom The Chicago Tribune recently dubbed as the Bulgarian Mother Teresa, told a BTA reporter.

A solemn service in memory of Mother Teresa was held here on Saturday afternoon, organized by the Hospice Charity set up by Paprikova in 1994.
Paprikova started her charity work nine years ago when together with three women she decided to help the ill and poor people in her neighbourhood. The four women gave these people food, looked after them and calmed them with kind words. Paprikova gave her flat to be used as a kitchen to cook the food for the poor, paying for it with money from her pension.

Mother Teresa congratulated Paprikova for her work in a letter in 1993. In March 1997 Paprikova was awarded the Elizabeth Nargal prize of the International Women's Club for Social Activities in Frankfurt, Germany. "The policy of our charity is love and compassion to people," Paprikova said, quoting Mother Teresa's words, "Help somebody.  You do not have to search for them long, they are around you".

"I do not want to be called 'Bulgaria's Mother Teresa', I am learning from her," Paprikova said. She and the now 70 volunteers take care for the poorest, lonely and terminally ill people.

Paprikova graduated German studies and started to attend the Social Institute in Luzern, Switzerland.  "I had a chance to see charity work in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Germany. I even tried to be appointed as a social worker in a Bulgarian plant but my offer was rejected.  Then I became a teacher," she said. Paprikova sadly admitted that Bulgaria is one of the countries in Europe which only lately started to talk about hospices and homes for the poor.

Paprikova's hospice occupies a small house provided by the city hall.  She now hopes that Sofia Mayor Stefan Sofiyanski will fulfill his promise to provide a new building for the hospice.  "My dream is to make a hospice hospital where I can shelter the dying and those who suffer the most. Many people help us. The embassies in Sofia too take part in our activities," Paprikova said. ES /ZH/

BTA's English-language Service reported on the Charity's activities in 2000:

Charity Hospice Movement to Open Second Facility

Sofia, January 6 (BTA) - The Charity Hospice Movement will soon open its second facility in the capital, the Movement's Chair, Donka Paprikova, told journalists on Thursday.

Nine years ago, Paprikova, whom many people call Bulgaria's Mother Teresa, founded the first facility in this country to cater to the needs of seriously ill and lonely old people.

Initially, the hospice was used to prepare food delivered by university volunteers to the homes of needy people. Elderly persons who couldn't look after themselves were later accommodated there. A team of volunteers has been taking care of them round the clock.

Not long ago, 70 ill and disabled Sofianites received a hot meal once a day. Because of the limited resources, food is now provided to only 35 people. Seven dying and lonely persons are currently accommodated at the hospice, Paprikova said, adding that monthly expenses amount to 1,000 leva.

In 1999, the Movement allocated part of its funds for homeless Roma children who spent most of their time hanging around at Sofia's central railway station.  The children had regular lunches at a restaurant and were taken to the cinema.

"Although it took a year longer than planned, we managed to raise money for the second hospice," Paprikova said. It will be based in a flat which will be furnished using money donated by the Japanese Government.  The Ladies' Club and yogurt producer Danon have promised to assist as well.  /EB/VE/BH/