Silenced by the uncertainty what life will be once the coronavirus pandemic is over, we are drawing the balance sheet and promising ourselves to change. However, some people have always lived with the good-sometimes they deliberately look for it and sometimes they seize it by chance, in order to make the neighbor happier. Vasil Nikolov, who has been recently bringing joy to poor Bulgarian children, is one of these people.

Until two weeks ago Vasil was filming the happy faces of the newly-married couples. Now, he fixes old laptops in his small living room and donates them to children who were not lucky enough to get their own computer device that would help them in their home studies.

“The idea was born when our daughter had to use a computer for her online studies – the photographer says. I bought her a second-hand computer. It was not that good, but she was able to use it. My daughter was very happy, but then I realized that not all parents can afford to buy such device.”

Vasil Nikolov asked his relatives and friends to give him their old laptops, so he can repair them and donate them to the children in need later. I took this cause personally and I relied on my friends, because they knew what I wanted them for. Although not everyone is inclined to give their computer devices to unknown people, Vasil’s idea gained popularity and many people wrote him on Facebook. One person bought eight computers and sent them to Vasil. Others prepaid the Internet service for months ahead.

The first laptop was sent to the second-grade pupil Bozhidar from the village of Siva Reka, Svilengrad municipality, who lives with his mother only. They survive on her meager EUR 120 salary. The stories of the other children are also sad – some of them are seriously ill and almost all of them come from small and poor villages.

“I sent computers literally all over Bulgaria, Vasil Nikolov says. However, I cannot give them personally to the kids during the state of emergency. That is why I use couriers. Later, the children send me photos with their laptops and I forward them to the donors, so they know who they helped with their donation-because you feel great satisfaction when you see the smile of these children. The kids write me how grateful they are and thank us a lot, which is the biggest prize to me.“

The benefactor himself is facing difficult days. Being freelance photographers, he and his wife have been jobless since the beginning of the state of emergency. Now, they live on their savings only. Vasil finds it normal to do good to other people, probably because he has been experiencing positive emotions from the weddings and the corporate events for years. For instance, last year he filmed the prom of students from an orphanage completely free-of-charge.

“Many people will draw the balance sheet in this situation, not only about the work they do, but about life in general, Vasil Nikolov contends. In my view, Covid-19 will change all of us and when the crisis is over, we will look at the world in a different way-maybe we will become more responsible, more reconciled and will think more about others.  The coronavirus crisis will definitely have a positive effect on us as well.”

The Bulgarian photographer who has donated more than 30 computers so far sent a message- to look around ourselves and find Internet groups who are engaged in similar causes. “People will surely be happy to help”, Vasil Nikolov contends.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov