Peace Corps is still doing grassroots economic development, health education, and ESL education in Romania and Bulgaria. As you well know, both of these countries were in shambles (economically) after 1989. The situation worsened in 1997 in Bulgaria when high inflation hit and there was near economic collapse. These difficult conditions have made it difficult on ordinary citizens. Although they have freedoms they never had under the communist party, their quality of life was worse. Aid organizations like Peace Corps are trying to help at the local level to improve English literacy, assist small businesses, write grants, provide health education, promote tourism, help minority groups (Roma), and support groups that help protect the environment. All of these missions are designed to strengthen communities, which in turn hopefully decreases pessimism in the economy, the government, and life in general.

I don't subscribe to the myth that Bulgarians are pessimistic by nature. I just think that they have been through many difficult situations. There is hope that life for all Bulgarians will improve (that each person can pursue his or her happiness and live without fear) in the near future.