Volunteering is an opportunity for people to learn something new or improve their skills, to help a cause, become involved in the lives of others, to give and to contribute to a better world. It is an altruistic activity that does not bring financial benefits but fills the heart and soul with satisfaction. Satisfaction that you have been active and useful, and that your work has meant a lot to someone.

At Botanica Life Foundation, we often rely on volunteers, and they have been helping us a lot. When the time comes for a volunteer to leave, we are left with this warm, happy feeling - to have seen someone, a stranger until yesterday, having worked hard for the cause we believe in.

We share with you the story of one of our volunteers, Diana Dimitrova, who impressed everyone with her dedication. We thank her and everyone else who made us a part of their lives!

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“When we volunteer, we often receive more than we give. I became convinced of this once again during the last 10 days, in which I volunteered in the picturesque village of Nadarevo, near Targovishte.

Over the years, I have volunteered or coordinated volunteers for various initiatives, most often for a cleaner and greener urban environment. This Spring, however, I decided that I wanted to do something different - to volunteer in the countryside by helping an organic farm. Apart from believing in the great benefits of growing food in a natural way, I also needed to break away from the noise and hectic daily life of the city and be closer to the earth and to myself. I shared the idea with a few friends. It was interesting that two of them sent me the name of Botanica Life Foundation independently of each other. I was intrigued and decided to learn more.

I looked at the foundation's website and was very impressed by the holistic approach and purposefulness with which Apostol gradually made his dream of growing organic food come true, reviving his native village and training and inspiring young people and adults for organic farming and a more sustainable way of life. After two weeks, I had already arranged to take my leave and had organised various personal affairs. I was travelling to Nadarevo, filled with the feeling that something good and different was ahead of me.

Greenery, beautiful nature, fresh air, and good people. This greeted me in Nadarevo. I was placed in the clean and cozy guest house of the foundation and that same evening I had the opportunity to work a little in the beautiful permaculture garden in front of the building.

The days on the farm started at 8:00 am with a cup of aromatic herbal tea, something light for breakfast and planning the tasks for the day with the colleagues. There is a need for help in the building and in the garden around it, but during the days of my stay we mainly worked in the demonstration field and in the greenhouse of the foundation, which are located about a kilometer from the guest house.

I spent my childhood summers in the countryside, helping to grow a large vegetable garden. It was great to have the opportunity to recall forgotten agricultural skills but also to enrich my knowledge. We sowed sorghum, okra, beans, watermelons, melons and pumpkins. We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, chard and red beets, watered and weeded... I learned many agricultural tips from Apostol, Cyril and Ismail, who are permanent members of Botanica Life team. Their goodwill and responsiveness made me feel part of the team from day one and learn interesting new skills. I learned how to make straight tomato beds, how to make wild garlic pesto and even how to mow the grass with a small tractor :)

It was a pleasure for me to work in the morning chill of the fields, in the greenery, accompanied by birdsong. However, working in the field is not always easy. I was quite tired on the days when the sun was hotter. But with a suitable hat, regular breaks and a few jokes with colleagues, the work was productive. At the end of the day, I felt satisfied when I looked at the work done together, and then we made a salad of organic vegetables, for the cultivation of which I had contributed.

Agricultural work grounded me and filled me with good energy. The slower life in the countryside and the close contact with the worldview of people who live close to earth and in harmony with natural cycles gave me a valuable life perspective.

I left Nadarevo with the feeling that I had received much for my work and time - I lived closer to nature, I was satisfied that I contributed to a meaningful cause, I met wonderful people and learned new things about growing and preparing organic and delicious food. I would be happy to spend another vacation in this way.”