Sofia, 14.05.2010
Today, the village Glozhene Teteven third opened a small house for children from Mogilino. The opening was attended by Nadya Shabani - Chairman of the State Agency for Child Protection, Mr. Nikolay Pavlov - Mayor of Teteven Ms. Tanya Radochay - UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria, representatives of regional authorities and participants in the show of bTV "Magnificent Six" - Mariana Popova, Nelly Ivanova, Rumyana Marinova and Titi Papazov.
UNICEF has invested EUR 343,000 to build a small house (Center for family-type accommodation). Were carried out construction and repair and purchase of additional furniture, equipment and lift fully adapted for people with disabilities. Additional funds were invested in training of staff cared for the young. The total number of people working in the small house is 10. The house can live 12 youths. There are currently housed 8 (5 boys and 3 girls) are accommodating another 2 girls. The house is near the health center and provides access to necessary medical services.
Tanya Radochay thanked the participants in this project and stressed that Mogilino children can now enjoy a dignified life in society and optimism. "You did it for the children of Mogilino, you may do so for many other children who are punished without having committed a crime. Thank you proved that there is hope for a better life for every child "ended Mrs Radochay. Mariana Popova special thanks to all people from Teteven receiving Mogilino children and helping them start their new life and Titi Papazov noted that the most important children can be with their parents. Nadya Shabani expressed gratitude to UNICEF, bTV and participants in the Magnificent Six, who were able to achieve something much more important than the funds raised, namely, to give hope and to declare that the homes should be closed. The President of the SACP said once the government's readiness to lead the reform of institutions.
The work of UNICEF in close Mogilino is part of the work of the organization to support the process of deinstitutionalization in Bulgaria. The main priorities in the projects of UNICEF are supporting families, foster care, prevention of abandonment, etc..
For The Magnificent Six:
British documentary "Bulgaria's Abandoned Children" broadcast on BBC draws the unacceptable situation at home for children and young people with mental retardation (DDMUI) in Mogilino. In response, the Government of Bulgaria, supported by UNICEF, has developed an action plan whose ultimate goal is the closure of the home, working with their biological families and the placement of children and young people in alternative forms of service. Action Plan aimed at providing a decent life for children with disabilities at home and prepare an effective model for their successful real deinstitutionalization.
For these activities UNICEF received invaluable support through bTV and "The Magnificent Six" to provide the necessary funding of new services, while giving publicity to the problem of poor care for children in institutions. Total of six "small houses" are built for children and youth in Mogilino to provide them with care in an environment similar to semenynata. So far have found 2 houses in Ruse. In June, pending the opening of the houses in Varna and Two Mounds, and by the end of the year in Sofia. Home in Mogilino was officially closed in October 2009
For a small house:
Little House is a center for family-type accommodation is an alternative social service community in which a small group of children live in an environment close to home - they go to school, have neighbors, play and meet friends in the neighborhood. Child and his needs are central to life in a small house. Any child who lives there is a unique and unparalleled and will provide the most favorable opportunities.
About UNICEF:
UNICEF Children's Fund is the United Nations and some of the big family of the United Nations. From 1946 onwards, UNICEF is the leading organization working for the benefit of children, represented in over 150 countries worldwide. UNICEF helps to survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, quality basic education for all boys and girls and to protect children from violence, exploitation and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For more information:
Tsvetelina Bonova, Communications and Public Relations, UNICEF Bulgaria, tel: 02-96-96-207, 0882-42-44-43, Email: tbonova@unicef.org
UNICEF opened a small house in the village for young people of Glozhene Mogilino
