A few days ago, the garden at the Safe Zone in RRC Sofia – Ovcha Kupel took its next small but meaningful step — the planting of the first tomato plants!

With care and dedication, IOM Bulgaria staff, several unaccompanied children, and volunteers from Caritas worked side by side to prepare the ground — clearing weeds, digging holes, and planting young tomato plants, one of Bulgaria’s most cherished garden staples.

This is more than just gardening. For the unaccompanied children, it’s a chance to connect with nature, take part in something peaceful and hands-on, and experience the reward of watching something grow. It’s a small act that can build confidence, offer calm, and create a shared sense of purpose.

This is just the beginning. If all goes well, more fruits and vegetables will follow — and with them, more opportunities to learn, grow, and work together.

A heartfelt thank you to the State Agency for Refugees for supporting this humble initiative — and to the Caritas volunteers for their helping hands and kind presence.
 

The Safe Zones are managed within the framework of the project "Support for Unaccompanied Minors Accommodated in Safe Zones", funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021–2027, co-financed by the European Union.