So said Lyuben (70), who lives with his wife Lyubka (62) in Bulgaria, after receiving OCL parcels last December.
Seven years ago, their eldest son’s wife passed away, and the son decided to go work abroad, leaving three children behind to be raised by their grandparents. Then two years ago, their younger son also left his family, so they took in his son, Elvin, as well. That is how, in their elder years, Lyuben and Lyubka ended up raising four grandsons!
Life is difficult for the family as the only income is Lyuben’s pension. All his life, he worked in construction, but it is physically demanding for a man of his age, and the pandemic has had a tremendous impact on the availability of any work these days.
The grandparents often go without for themselves in order to provide for their grandchildren, but there is never enough money to buy essentials such as clothes or shoes for growing boys. Lyubka does bake bread at home, and they always try and make sure that there is enough money for the boys to have breakfast at school.