In a modest Roma neighbourhood in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 17-year-old Lazar is quietly building a future full of hope and purpose. A Year 10 student at a local secondary school, Lazar dreams of becoming a pædiatrician — a goal rooted in a deeply personal and painful memory.
Years ago, his 2-year-old nephew was hospitalised with pneumonia. What Lazar witnessed there — medical neglect and cold indifference — left a lasting mark on his heart. It was then that he made a life-shaping decision: He would become a doctor who not only heals children physically, but also cares for them emotionally — with compassion and dignity.
Those hopes have taken root and grown through Lazar’s involvement in Convoy of Hope’s Children’s Feeding initiative in his town. There, he found more than just hot, nourishing meals — he found a community of people who believed in him. For the first time, Lazar felt seen, supported, and empowered to dream bigger.
His path hasn’t been easy. In Year 7, due to pressure and manipulation from school administrators, Lazar was placed in a segregated school with a poor reputation. Though his mentors fought to change that, bureaucratic barriers and family hesitation delayed his transfer by a year. But thanks to persistence and encouragement from those around him, Lazar eventually enrolled in his current school — a more supportive environment, and a fresh start.
Since then, he has flourished. Once uncertain and lacking direction, Lazar is now a focused student with a passion for biology and chemistry. Outside the classroom, he gives back by helping younger children with homework at the same Convoy of Hope centre that once supported him.
Joining the programme at age 10 marked a turning point in Lazar’s life. Through mentorship, faith-building, and consistent support, he began to believe that his dream was within reach. Today, he is preparing for medical university, taking steps — both big and small — towards becoming the kind of doctor the world desperately needs.
Lazar’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes love, guidance, and community. He is living proof that with hope and support, extraordinary things are possible.
One day, Lazar won’t just represent himself. He’ll carry the legacy of everyone who believed in him — each person who offered a meal, a kind word, or a helping hand.
“I understand that there will be difficult moments and challenges on the way to my dream, but I am determined not to give up,” Lazar said. “I believe that with perseverance and faith in God, anything is possible.”
And with that unwavering faith, Lazar moves forward — one step and one dream at a time.
