The project objectives were aimed at introduction and establishment of effective models and practices to support children and families from the Roma ethnic group in order to reduce the number of abandoned and neglected children in Targovishte municipality; reducing the number of abandoned and neglected children through early identification and subsequent provision of specialized support for families from the Roma community with an identified risk; creating motivation and capacity building in local Roma communities for participation in activities aimed at raising children in a family environment and improvement of their parenting skills.

Project target groups were Roma families with low social status, long-term unemployed, with low education, living in Malcho Malchev living area in Targovishte, and in villages: Lilyak, Vardun and Goliamo Novo.

The project work was focused on three main programs: 1. "Support during pregnancy" 2. "Health promotion and better care for children from 0 to 3 years" and 3. "Prevention of unwanted pregnancy". The main applied methods were: counselling – from the team, specialists and institutions; fieldwork – daily from the whole team and social mediators; home visits – we entered in each house of the families we were working with and encouraged the creation of better living conditions.

During the project we supported 60 families with more than 130 children for whom the care is improved. As a result five newborns aren’t placed in institutions and grow with their biological parents. We prevented institutionalization of 11 children due to poor care. 4 children were placed in foster families. 15 children received qualified medical care. 20 children received additional support for school. 20 families have received material support during the most difficult winter months in the form of food, sanitation, medicine and diapers. The living conditions in the homes of 34 families from our target group have been improved. 4 persons were included in temporary employment programs. 4 social mediators from the community were trained as well as 20 other community representatives. Specialized medical and legal support was provided. Additional resources from four other NGO were attracted (from Habitat Foundation - interest-free loans; from Bulgarian Red Cross and Tulip Foundation - food, medicine, diapers, from Bulgarian Mothers Movement, Rotary Club and the entire community of Targovishte - clothes, toys, strollers, etc.).

In the work on prevention of abandonment and neglect of children in Roma families the following players were obligatory included: a team of experts providing specialized support - social workers, psychologists, medical professionals, etc.; representatives of the community - trained social mediators; other members of the community - according the case these might be neighbours, relatives, people who the family trusts, leaders; other NGOs and organizations that provide different social services or can provide additional resource; institutions working with children and families at risk - (Child Protection Department, Social Assistance Department, local authority).

As a result of our efforts the number of abandoned children in Targovishte municipality was reduced with more than 50% compared to previous years. At the time of project application the data is as follows: 2007 - 32 abandoned children, 2008 - 35 children, 2009 – 22 children. In 2010 their number is 20 and for 2011 - only 13 children. From 22 identified risk pregnancies, 16 received support from specialists - or a total of 70%. From 90 identified families with neglected children, 48 improved parenting for over 130 children - or about 53%. 30 representatives of the Roma community, committed to work on the problem. 3 municipalities, 4 community centres and two associations were involved in implementing the integrated approach. A model for prevention of abandonment and neglect of children was developed and applied in practice.

NGO Club, Targovishte 
Nevena Madjarova 
1, 30 January, Str., fl.3 
7700, Targovishte 
Tel. +359 601 / 63 425 
clubngo@abv.bg 
www.clubngo.org