The meeting took place on 23 and 24 June at the training centre of Karin Dom Foundation, a centre for special needs children functioning as a training and resource centre in Varna.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Sauchastie Association, Varna, Caritas, Ruse, the Society for Religious and Community Support for Prisoners, Vratsa, the Club of Not-for-Profit Organisations, Targovishte, Pleven Community Houses Public Fund Association, Knowledge Association, Lovech, Health and Social Development Foundation, Sofia; Karin Dom Foundation, Varna; First June Association, Byala Slatina, Opportunity and Protection Association, Haskovo and Habitat for Humanity Bulgaria, Sofia.
The participants presented the development and implementation of different projects, the difficulties they experience and solutions they identify. The major issues that emerged from the discussion was the insufficient coordination between the different institutions concerned in the welfare of children and the relatively limited services for families and children available in the community.
The principal guest speaker and trainer was Malina Slavova, a representative of Opportunity and Protection Association. She shared her extensive experience in the area of mobile work with children at risk of being abandoned by their families and the methods of motivating and engaging the families of children at risk of being placed in social institutions.
Yana Docheva, a representative of Habitat for Humanity Bulgaria, presented the housing conditions improvement programme addressing the needs of children and families at risk. The Foundation extends small interest-free loans to support families in need who live in inadequate accommodation and do not have sufficient means to repair and improve their living conditions.
The participants had an opportunity to learn more about the work of the team of Karin Dom Foundation. Mr. Ivan Stanchioff, a diplomat, founder and Chair of the Managing Board of the Foundation, extended his personal welcome and greetings to the participants in the working meeting. Mariana Nikolova, Director of Karin Dom Foundation, presented her team and the activities of the daycare centre, which provides a diverse range of modern services to special needs children and their families.
During the second day, the participants visited the Health and Social Development Centre set up and managed by Sauchastie Association where the team presented its work funded under programmes for the prevention of child abandonment and institutionalization and HIV and Tuberculosis prevention, which addresses the needs of the Roma community. An issue, which stirred particular interest and a lively discussion, was the field work of mediators with groups at risk.
