Once, the voices in this hospital echoed with concern—of parents anxious for their children and doctors working despite constraints. Today, you’ll hear giggles, fairy tales whispered in corners, and heartfelt gratitude. Gratitude for everyone who believes that hospitals don’t have to feel cold or clinical. They can be places of comfort, inspiration, and healing.

Thanks to the America for Bulgaria Foundation, dozens of donors, and a community of local heroes, Za Dobroto Foundation’s Firefly project in Dobrich is now a reality. A fully renovated pediatric ward—designed to meet both clinical needs and the emotional well-being of children and families—is ready to welcome over 2,000 young patients every year.

This isn’t just a renovation. It’s a blueprint. A living example of what can happen when people rally around a cause that matters.

A space for healing, built with care. On February 20, 2025, another “Firefly” lit up in Bulgaria—this time in Dobrich. The new pediatric ward at the city’s general hospital now offers children warmth, light, and a setting that supports both recovery and dignity in care. Led by the Za Dobroto Foundation, with principal support from the America for Bulgaria Foundation, the transformation is the work of donors, volunteers, and the community. 

Kindness has a new address. The newly renovated pediatric ward now rings with children’s songs instead of silence. What was once a drab corridor now feels alive—a hymn to hope and care.

1,000 square meters of healing. The new ward includes 22 beds, 5 intensive care units, zones for babies, kids, and teens, parent spaces, kitchens, a playroom, and ergonomic workstations for the staff. For about 2,000 children annually, this is no longer just a hospital—it’s a better beginning.

A hospital that doesn’t feel like one. Colorful murals with Dobrich-inspired motifs, antibacterial flooring, custom-made furniture, play areas, and spaces to rest or just breathe. The new ward heals more than bodies—it restores trust.

In the name of the children. “Za Dobroto Foundation helped create a model worth replicating. We hope it becomes a national standard. Bulgaria’s children deserve nothing less.” — Nancy Schiller, President, America for Bulgaria Foundation

Pictured: Svilena Georgieva, Executive Director, Za Dobroto Foundation; Nadezhda Rangelova, Chair of the Board, Za Dobroto Foundation; and Nancy Schiller.

A third Firefly. Dobrich is the third Firefly pediatric ward supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation, after similar transformations in Lovech and Veliko Tarnovo. Each is a milestone. Together, they’re a movement. Captured here is a moment from the opening of the Firefly ward in Lovech.

Before & after. From cold hallway to children’s playroom, the transformation of the pediatric ward in Dobrich is striking—and goes beyond esthetics. It’s a shift in attitude, in care, in the message it sends to families: here, you are safe.

Not just a renovation—a transformation. “The essence of our work with Za Dobroto is to improve the healing process—for the child, their caregiver, and the medical team. To make the hospital stay as painless and non-traumatic as possible.” — architect Magdalena Slavova

Pictured: Dr. Y. Yovev, Head of the Pediatric Department; Nadezhda Rangelova and architect Magdalena Slavova from Za Dobroto; Dr. Georgi Zhelyazkov, Director of the Dobrich Hospital; Svilena Georgieva from Za Dobroto; Milena Georgieva, Head Nurse.

A tested model, ready to scale. “This project proved the Firefly model works. It changes more than the rooms—it changes trust in public healthcare.” — Nadezhda Rangelova, Za Dobroto Foundation (center)

Twelve more children’s wards across Bulgaria have expressed interest in joining the Firefly transformation. The vision ahead: a national program that makes healing environments the norm, not the exception.

A dream 35 years in the making. “I always knew what a children’s ward should look like. I just never thought I’d live to see it.” — Dr. Yovev, Head of Pediatrics. 

Above and beyond the job description. Part of the tireless pediatric team at the Dobrich Hospital—women who don’t just work here but care for this space like their own. For them, the new ward is both a responsibility and a point of pride.

“The cozy new environment will improve how we work, how we connect—with each other and with our patients. It’s more than a renovation. It feels like home.” — Milena Georgieva, Head Nurse.

Change that starts from the heart. The transformation of the children’s ward in Dobrich didn’t come from the top down—it came from the heart. From hundreds of individuals and organizations who believe children’s health can’t wait and that a hospital can soothe, not scare.

Among the lead donors: 💛 America for Bulgaria Foundation 💛 doTERRA Bulgaria 💛 American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria 💛 Videnov Furniture 💛 Eldom 💛 Grohe

And dozens more—from local businesses to private citizens—who gave funds, materials, or time.

🌟 “The highlight of the campaign was a first grader from Dimitar Talev Primary School, who donated all of his savings for this cause,” said Dr. Georgi Zhelyazkov, director of the Dobrich Hospital.

Volunteers from three continents. Furniture, toys, and good vibes: volunteers from Taiwan, Malaysia, and Bulgaria joined the renovation. Some came with the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation. Others, like Fantastic Services, had already pitched in for the transformation in Veliko Tarnovo. All showed up with heart and hands.

No age limit on kindness. Volunteers of all ages helped assemble the children’s ward furniture. Their enthusiasm and energy mattered just as much as the screws and hammers.

A gift that speaks volumes. An artist and children’s entertainer surprised the Za Dobroto team with a handcrafted anagram featuring the words “Firefly” and “Za Dobroto.” A small but powerful reminder that good things start with action.