Pray for Pleven

With my 'Pledges for Pleven' fund-raiser coming to an end, I'm honestly in awe.  Though many of the numbers never got claimed God remained faithful.  During this fund-raiser I had an anonymous local donor donate nearly $300 towards Pleven!  Never before have I seen such generosity towards Pleven from someone locally, their outreach literally left me in tears and gave me hope that many do still care.  

$307 later and I am grateful for the hearts that God moved, and the hands who gave.  

I'm already at it again, a t-shirt fund-raiser this time.  Though I may have time to waste, the children in Pleven are already living on borrowed time, they needed out yesterday.  We got an update on Pleven a few days ago, many of the older children are being taken out of Pleven and being moved to a group home, which though it sounds beneficial it's disastrous.  The staff who will be running this group home are former Pleven owners, who hurt and abused the children in Pleven...they literally made it a Hell On Earth.  I'm horrified, sick to my stomach, and heartbroken for the children who are being taken to this home.

We can only pray, and yes prayer is very powerful but I still feel the urge to rescue those children from dangers grip, to take them somewhere safe where they will be harmed no more. So for now I will pray, that God will bring mercy to these children, that the US Embassy in Bulgaria will see that we are working to find families, and build a real group home for these kids where they can feel worthy, I will pray that God's hand is on everything, including this t-shirt fundraiser.  He is God, and He is sovereign, His plan is best, and I have to trust that...even when it's hard.  

If you are interested in buying a 'Pray For Pleven' t-shirt (they are available in adult, and children's sizes), you can use this link: http://teespring.com/PrayForPleven

92 Valentines

Fighting for the lives in Pleven Orphanage, in Pleven, Blugaria is where my passion lies.  For the past year I've wanted nothing more than to change the current state of Pleven...but I am just one and I can't do much.  Last night after reading some terrible news about a former Pleven child (who is now loved more than anyone could ever, ever, imagine by an incredible family.) the passion and drive in my heart were forefront and not going anywhere anytime soon.  I sat at my desk and cried, I asked God what I was supposed to do about the situation in Pleven, and how in the world I was supposed to do anything at all.  I was out of ideas, heartbroken, in tears, feeling hopeless...but I didn't give up.

Valentines Day is coming up, some are planning special dates for their wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend, others may be eating heart shaped candies, and spending the night with Netflix (which is totally fine, cause that's what I'll be doing!).  But what if you could do something more for the holiday that revolves around love, hearts, and all that gushy stuff.  What if (now bare with me, this seemed like a great idea in my head lets just hope it's as successful as I'm praying it is!) you could donate a dollar amount in honor of a child still waiting in Pleven? There are 92 children in Pleven (the last I checked that is.), and there are 92 numbers on the chart below.  If this is intriguing you, and you want to know more....well keep reading.


Pick a number, and which ever number you choose is the dollar amount you'll donate towards Pleven in honor of a sweet child still waiting (Comment after you donate so I know the number has been claimed).  Example: Jane Doe picks the number 21, so she will donate $21 to the donation button labeled Pledges For Pleven on the right-hand side of the blog.  Make sense?  It's literally that easy, no joke!  I've seen people do this fund-raiser before, it's always been successful, and I'm hoping this fund-raiser is just as blessed as others.   Though, I do want to ask you to pray for the children in Pleven when you donate.  I don't have names of all 92 children in Pleven, though I know a few faces, and I would love to see Pleven, and the children in Pleven be lifted up in prayer as a result of this fund-raiser and God's beautiful hand in it all.   I'm sorry that I don't have a spectacular prize for you to win, but I really hope that you'll consider donating out of the generosity of your heart, in honor of a child who is still in Pleven.

Once all of the numbers have been donated, and this fund-raiser ends ALL FUNDS will be donated to The Pleven Project.  These funds will help fund psychologist to evaluate the kids, as well as build the Medical fund.


When someone claims a number, and donates I will cover that number with a heart so we can see which have been claimed.  I will do my best to update the chart as frequently as possible. :)

Thank you, in advanced for every single one of you who opens their hearts, and contributes to the change in Pleven, and for Pleven.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

The Pleven Project

So, I've given myself the task of raising as much money as I can for The Pleven Project. For those of you that don't know Pleven is an orphanage in Bulgaria that houses 92 children. The living conditions are outrageous, and many of the children are extremely malnourished. Keith U. came out of Pleven at 5 years old weighing 10 pounds. He spent most of his time in an isolation room for no valid reason, he was also tied to his crib which left marks on his wrists. Keith is just one of the many children that have been forever damaged by that wretched place.

Recently a group of wonderful ladies devised a plan and jumped into action to better the lives in the Pleven Orphanage. They have provided funds to hire Leyla's (Grandmothers, or Nanies) that are each assigned a child, and get to spend one-on-one time with the kids. Which is absolutely wonderful, and they have already seen and heard that the kids have benefited from this tremendously! The next project that the Pleven Project team is wanting to fund is a Day Home this will benefit Pleven Orphanage, and Pleven's Community. This day home will serve as a Day Care for families who would like to continue to care for, and parent their children with special needs, and it will serve as a benefit to Pleven allowing the kids to have access to more Therapies such as Music, Art, Physical, ect.

The Pleven Project team really wants to empower families, and equip them to care for their children with special needs in their own homes, so that they don't have to give their children up. This will be so beneficial in many ways, to multiple families, and children. There's a little bump in building this Day Home, and that is that it is going to cost $100,000 to buy the materials, and build it. As I said above, this Day Home will be extremely beneficial, and is really needed at Pleven. 

Alone, we can't raise that $100,000 and that is just a fact, but with the help of generous hearts we can raise that $100,000. This money could be raised in a week if Pleven's need went viral, and hearts were moved, or it could take months or even a year, but that all depends on whether you are willing to share the need, and possibly donate too. So, if you are even just willing to share the need, and pray God's blessing over it, that would be amazing in it's self. But if you can donate $5, $10, $30, to this project, and help better the lives of families in Pleven, Bulgaria that would be a blessing too. 

Like I said, this all depends on generous hearts, who are willing to help in any way. If you decide to donate, in the notes section please specify that you would like your donation to go to the Day Home so that the team knows to set it aside. I'm extremely grateful for every single person who will pray over this project, and the children in Pleven, for those who will share in hopes to gain more awareness, and those who choose to donate and make this possible.  I will have a Youcaring set up soon so that we can track our progress, and others can donate if they feel inclined (Thank you Shelley!!), but right now if you would like to donate you can donate directly to The Pleven Project, just add a note with your donation that says "Day Center" :) 

This is intimidating I'm not gonna lie, especially with it being Angel Tree season and needing $1000 for Charlie, I'm taking on a lot. This money could be raised in a week or a month, or it could take 6 months or a year, it all depends on the number of hearts that are moved into action,  but God sees the desires of my heart, and I know He will provide the $100,000 in one way or another...God's got my back, and my faith is in Him.

Little Bits Made Big

With November 1st quickly approaching (1 day, 3 hours, and 38 minutes till Angel Tree Launch!!) and the excitement of Angel Tree arising I'm wrapping up my major fundraising for Pleven.  I want to be able to focus my efforts on my baby boy Charlie, as I committed to him first!  I am still doing small projects on the side for Pleven, to keep the need fresh in peoples minds, but I will be mainly focusing on Charlie Roo.  I recently asked my Facebook friends if they would be willing to collect change for Pleven with me, and many of them jumped right in and have began collecting their spare change for Pleven!

Kara H. and her beautiful family have this sweet jar collecting their spare change! :) 

I have a jar sitting on my desk that is about 1/4 of the way full with spare change, and my family has joined in on the fun too!  I have to say that I am thankful for willing, and generous hearts who want to help in the small ways.  I actually came across a Facebook post that fits these small actions perfectly.

"If you keep your "little", it will remain little.  But if you step into the exchange zone ready to offer what little you have to be used by God in moving the baton forward, your little will be multiplied as you run." 
-Christine Caine 

I can't even begin to express how true that is!  We often think that what we have to offer isn't enough, or is "too small", but God reminds us that no matter how big or small He can take it and make it into something miraculous!  So yes, even collecting a jar of loose change is benefiting the lives in Pleven and is getting us closer to our goal of $100,000! YOU are making a difference, and I think that is AMAZING!  If you would like to join us, grab a jar, can, container, box, anything really, and collect your loose change until it's full!

Another wonderful praise that I want to share with you is, the outcome of the t-shirt fundraiser! (Which is still up and running until November 1st, so be sure to grab your tee here: http://teespring.com/Pleven)  I jumped on TeeSpring today to check on the fundraiser, and see the total amount raised at this point, and was pleasantly surprised to see that *we* have raised $102 for Pleven!!  Yes, 12 T-shirts sold, and $102 raised!  I am so grateful for every single person who has bought a T-shirt, for every single person who has shared this fundraiser, for every single person who has prayed over Pleven, this fundraiser, and the hands that would help us reach this goal! I AM GRATEFUL.

I subtracted the $102 from the $100,000 and the new total that came about is $99,898!  WE are making progress, it may be tiny progress but we're closer than when we started!  Seeing that total drop brings me JOY, so much joy!  Please, know that I am thanking God for each of you!  I could not do this on my own!

If you are wanting to help raise this $99,898 but aren't sure how, please! Email me! or Facebook message me!  I would be so happy to hear from you, and share with you the different ways that YOU can benefit the lives in Pleven!

My email is linked on the right hand side bar of the blog, but I'll list it here too.
AlyssaGoodhue@hotmail.com

Again, I am thankful for every.single.one.of.you.  Whether you've been following my blog for years, or whether this is your first time reading.  You are the reason that I could ever even imagine raising $100,000.  You are all blessings!

The Pleven Project

So, I've given myself the task of raising as much money as I can for The Pleven Project. For those of you that don't know Pleven is an orphanage in Bulgaria that houses 92 children. The living conditions are outrageous, and many of the children are extremely malnourished. Keith U. came out of Pleven at 5 years old weighing 10 pounds. He spent most of his time in an isolation room for no valid reason, he was also tied to his crib which left marks on his wrists. Keith is just one of the many children that have been forever damaged by that wretched place.

Recently a group of wonderful ladies devised a plan and jumped into action to better the lives in the Pleven Orphanage. They have provided funds to hire Leyla's (Grandmothers, or Nanies) that are each assigned a child, and get to spend one-on-one time with the kids. Which is absolutely wonderful, and they have already seen and heard that the kids have benefited from this tremendously! The next project that the Pleven Project team is wanting to fund is a Day Home this will benefit Pleven Orphanage, and Pleven's Community. This day home will serve as a Day Care for families who would like to continue to care for, and parent their children with special needs, and it will serve as a benefit to Pleven allowing the kids to have access to more Therapies such as Music, Art, Physical, ect.

The Pleven Project team really wants to empower families, and equip them to care for their children with special needs in their own homes, so that they don't have to give their children up. This will be so beneficial in many ways, to multiple families, and children. There's a little bump in building this Day Home, and that is that it is going to cost $100,000 to buy the materials, and build it. As I said above, this Day Home will be extremely beneficial, and is really needed at Pleven. 

Alone, we can't raise that $100,000 and that is just a fact, but with the help of generous hearts we can raise that $100,000. This money could be raised in a week if Pleven's need went viral, and hearts were moved, or it could take months or even a year, but that all depends on whether you are willing to share the need, and possibly donate too. So, if you are even just willing to share the need, and pray God's blessing over it, that would be amazing in it's self. But if you can donate $5, $10, $30, to this project, and help better the lives of families in Pleven, Bulgaria that would be a blessing too. 

Like I said, this all depends on generous hearts, who are willing to help in any way. If you decide to donate, in the notes section please specify that you would like your donation to go to the Day Home so that the team knows to set it aside. I'm extremely grateful for every single person who will pray over this project, and the children in Pleven, for those who will share in hopes to gain more awareness, and those who choose to donate and make this possible.  I will have a Youcaring set up soon so that we can track our progress, and others can donate if they feel inclined (Thank you Shelley!!), and right now I have set up a T-shirt fundraiser that will benefit The Pleven Project.  For $21 you can purchase a t-shirt that states "I will not let their story end like this." with an outline of Bulgaria in the background: http://teespring.com/Pleven

This is a small way that you can help change the fate of these children, and it will help reduce the amount needed to build that day home.  This is intimidating I'm not gonna lie, especially with it being Angel Tree season and needing $1000 for Charlie, I'm taking on a lot. This money could be raised in a week or a month, or it could take 6 months or a year, it all depends on the number of hearts that are moved into action,  but God sees the desires of my heart, and I know He will provide the $100,000 in one way or another...God's got my back, and my faith is in Him.


Will you consider buying a shirt in honor of the 92 orphans in Pleven?