The aim of the project was to overcome the social isolation of elderly people from small living quarters in town by providing a free access to newspapers, internet and virtual library.

Within the frame of the project one of the Chitalishte rooms was repaired. The walls were ground-coated and painted; the floor fell through and had to be cemented; a new door and windows were placed. The room was equipped with new desks, chairs, curtains, coffee-machine and 2 computers with internet connection. The people from the local community actively participated in the cleaning of the premises, they brought pots with flowers and helped with spreading of invitations and organization of the official opening.

A new schedule of youth volunteers has to be made due to the huge interest of the people from Rusevtsi living quarter towards the Virtual Library. The young people helped everyone who wanted to learn how to use computers and internet, virtual library online media and different programs to communicate with their friends and relatives.

At the beginning people aged 60-65 felt embarrassed because of their lack of knowledge and frustrated from the fact that local kids would teach them. Subsequently they liked the most exactly that communication with the youngsters. They see them as their grandchildren and started to bring sweets and homemade cookies for them. Young people shared their experience with the different participants and commented their progress.

The „Virtual Library” was transformed into a centre for meetings of people from all generations where the ones who are more advanced are helping the others.

Chitalishte „Hristo Smirnenski - 1949” 
Margarita Fartunova 
Rusevtsi living quarter 
5300, Gabrovo 
Tel. +359 899 600 324 
svet82@mail.bg