Background

The idea for this project emerged due to the existence of the following problem: high percentage of dropped out or left out students subject to compulsory education (25 30%). These are mainly children coming from ethnic minorities, whose families live on the border of or below the social minimum of poverty (in most families both parents are unemployed and rely on social welfare). Those families get isolated, trapped in the cage of their material problems with no alternative ways of solving them. This situation has led to a highly negative attitude towards all governmental institutions, including schools that cannot solve parents` problems and will not solve children s ones . Yongsters attending schools, have low motivation, experiencing difficulties in attaining proficiency in the Bulgarian language and correspondingly in the school material. This has led to lower abilities for social adaptation, weaker academic competitiveness and less chance for realization.

Practice

The project Tomorrow begins from today has offered a possible solution to the problems of a close-knit community children of Roma origin and children in disadvantaged position. The goals of the project were:
- Abolish the unfair treatment of Roma people according to the National Framework Program for equal integration of Roma people in the Bulgarian society through guaranteed open access to education.
- Unify the efforts of teachers, parents and students to create a favorable environment providing quality education, improvement of Bulgarian language skills, civic education in the spirit of ethno-cultural tolerance and respect to the individual.
- Transform schools into neutral territory , e.g. a scene for cultural intercourse, creativity, learning the specific traditions and crafts of the particular communities. Additionally, develop virtues such as initiative, responsibility, and ability to discuss and solve problems.

The target group of the project were 86 children of Roma origin or disadvantaged families, attending Otets Paisii Primary School in the village of Alekovo. The project started at the end of April 2001.

Main activities:
- Consulting and diagnostic activities
An expert in children psychology in cooperation with the project team carried out group and individual therapy sessions with children experiencing behavior problems incapability of communication, lack of adaptiveness, deformation in value orientation. Parents were consulted on problems related to child education, as well as stimulated towards more active partnership with teachers and participation in school life.
- Cultural and educational activities
The program included forming a children's vocal group Smehorani (26 participants) performing songs and dances of the different ethnic groups. That activity contributed to building a favorable environment for development of the individual creative potential, suggesting tolerance between different cultures and values, and providing opportunities for the children to freely express themselves.
- Equipping an information hall called Knowledge is power for offering training in basic computer skills how to use education software and how to produce information brochures. (Computer Club with 30 participants)
- The Journalist Club published the All seeing Eye brochure. It contained interviews, entertainment columns, and debates on school life problems. The educational brochure Life in your hands was intended to inform parents on legal matters, rights and obligations, local self-government matter, as well as children rights.
- The Dexterous Hands Club (20 participants) helped children to achieve skills in applied arts, teaching them to make objects from various materials, and in the mean time, introducing them to particular customs and traditions. The Colorful World games room was founded to help children with ideas how to spend their spare time in a better way, to provoke their interests and to stimulate open-minded communication between them.

Results
- School environment has become more interesting and attractive to children
- On the basis of different interests, four teams have been formed: Computer Club, Journalist Club, Smehorani vocal group, Dexterous Hands Club. Those activities have been made available for all interested candidates. They created possibilities for children to develop their talents.
- Students have become equal partners to their tutors. In this way their initiative, sense of responsibility, involvement in school life and ethno-cultural tolerance have been stimulated.
- A great part of the parents appreciated the effectiveness of the project and demonstrated sympathy and interest in school problems.
- Useful cooperation with the Municipality of Alfatar for solving the target group problems.