The idea for the project came up as a result from the large percentage of school dropouts (20 30%). These are children of minority origin, whose families live on the verge of, and under, the social minimum (in most families, both parents are unemployed and live on social assistance). The families self-isolate, close in the narrow circle of their problems, without any alternative for a solution. This deprives them from the opportunity for social integration.

The children going to school don t have much of a motivation to regularly attend classes, have problems in mastering Bulgarian and the lessons in general, as well as problems in communicating with fellow students. Individual and group work is needed to change the behavior and the stereotypes and to help them acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.

The project had the following goals:

To eliminate the disadvantaged position of the Romas as per the stipulations of the adopted National Framework Program for the Equal Integration of the Romas in Bulgarian Society, with guaranteed access to education to all children and the creation of conditions for their educational and cultural development.

To synchronize the activities of teachers, parents and community center employees to create prerequisites for quality education, improved learning of Bulgarian, citizen education in the spirit of ethnic tolerance and respect to the different persons.

To transform the community center into a neutral territory for cultural dialogue, creativity and understanding of the specific customs and crafts of the different communities, as well as for the development of personal qualities, such as initiative, responsibility, discussion and problem solving skills.

The project was initiated in September, 2003 under FLGR s Social Environment Improvement Program, supported financially by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The target group included 40 children from poor Roma families from the village of Mikrevo, municipality of Strumyani.

Advisory activities

In the beginning of September, 2003 a psychologist joined the project team in conducting home visits to poor Roma families in Mikrevo. The parents were informed in detail about project activities and the opportunities for their children. Group and individual work was conducted with children with behavioral problems: inability to communicate, inability to adapt, distorted values. Consultations were provided to the parents on issues related to raising their children. They were also encouraged to establish more close partnerships with the teachers and to get involved in school and community life. The consultations and the campaign for the collection of textbooks brought more Roma students back to school. A better environment was created, as well as opportunities for joint initiatives between children of different ethnic origin.

Cultural and educational activities

A room was equipped to provide basic computer training to children interested in computer science. Due to the great interest in this topic, the classes were increased to 4 per week.

A Roma children vocal group, The Zvanche, and a dancing ensemble, Ederlest, were established. The number of children wishing to join these groups is growing constantly. The Bratya Miladinovi Community Center became a venue for various initiatives, continuity and tolerance between the communities. The awareness of the cultural differences and features was improved. The children were given an opportunity for personal development and they have become permanent participants in the different celebrations in the municipality and out of it.

A club of applied arts (painting and making items of different materials) was formed. This created opportunities for better use of children s free time, the development of new interests and active communication.

A Roma culture week was organized at the end of April, 2004 under the motto Let s Create Together. Apart from the children from the target group, their parents and relatives also participated in organizing an exhibition of traditional Roma crafts. Partners from the village of Slivnitsa, municipality of Kresna also took part in the concert on the occasion of the Roma culture week.

All local and regional media, the BTV and Channel 1 national TV stations partnered closely with the project team during project implementation and covered and promoted all initiatives.

The partners from Otets Paisii General Education School, the Mikrevo Mayoralty and the Snezhanka kindergarten contributed greatly to achieve the results under the project.

Improved school attendance by the children.

Conditions were created for the successful integration of the children from the target group, the improvement of their self-confidence and belief in their own capabilities.

The community center became a venue for various initiatives, continuity and tolerance between the communities.

Roma children vocal group and dancing ensemble were established, which provide all children willing to join them an opportunity to demonstrate their best capacities.

The development of computer skills expanded children s opportunities for contacts.

The parents realized the benefit from the project and demonstrated growing initiative and involvement in the social and cultural life in the village.

A favorable environment was established for the development of the individual creative talents of the children. Tolerance to the different culture and values was fostered through mutual understanding and exchange of specific ethnic traditions and cultural products.

For additional information, please contact :

Svetla Petseva

Bratya Miladinovi Community Center

2826 Mikrevo

Municipality of Strumyani

Tel.: (07434) 3058

Vanya Petsanova

Chief Secretary

Municipality of Strumyani

1, April 7^th Sq.

2825 Strumyani

Tel.: (07434) 3106

Fax: (07434) 3105

Email: [email protected]