Deborah Dushku is originally from Sacramento, California and currently lives in Utah with her family. She received her Bachelors of Science in Human Development at Brigham Young University. This degree provided education in the areas of physical, social, psychological and emotional developmental stages of children and adolescents ages 0-18 years. Deborah also works as a wellness counselor, specializing in behavioral and mental disorders of children and adults. Both Deborah’s educational background and her career have been very useful in her work with One Heart Bulgaria as she assesses the needs of the children at the orphanages and developes programs for them.

Prior to completing her education, Deborah served a 19-month LDS mission in Sofia, Bulgaria where she learned to speak Bulgarian fluently and developed a love of the country, its culture, and the Bulgarian people. Her experiences there motivated her to join humanitarian efforts with Heidi Glyn Barker in 2002 and in 2003 they co-founded One Heart Bulgaria. During the next 18 months, she made three trips to Bulgaria where she assisted in establishing the organization, evaluated orphanages, helped train Bulgarian staff, and delivered hundreds of pounds of humanitarian supplies. Deborah has served as the sponsorship director, special projects director, and in 2005, she became president of One Heart Bulgaria.

Of her involvement with One Heart Bulgaria, Deborah comments: “It has been a life-changing privilege to help alleviate the suffering of these dear Bulgarian children. They have taught me about courage, perseverance, gratitude, and life. I have so much…they have so little, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help alleviate their suffering. Through the years, I have seen firsthand how much our humanitarian efforts have positively impacted Bulgaria’s orphans in significant ways. We have helped thousands and thousands of children to have healthier and happier lives. I’d like to think Heidi and I are the mammas of Bulgaria’s orphans.”

In September 2007, Brigham Young University gave Deborah an Honored Alumni Award for her humanitarian work in Bulgarian orphanages. Read more about her award here.

Deborah’s personal interests and hobbies include: writing, motivational speaking, piano, dancing, basketball, health and fitness, traveling, and spending time with her husband and their nine children.

Deborah is available as a youth motivational speaker and for other public speaking engagements. To schedule a speaking arrangement, please contact Deborah at