There are 90 pupils in the St. St Cyril and Methodius elementary school in Ilindentsi. Currently in the village there are no organised initiatives for children, which can ensure their active involvement and better utilisation of their leisure and after-school time. The Management Board of the school, together with the school staff, citizens of the village and the municipality started a discussion aiming at increasing the possibilities for the children of the village to have better sport, entertainment and leisure time activities. Within these discussions the idea for establishing a daily child centre has been born and enthusiastically supported by all involved parties. Later on the project idea has been developed as a project proposal and approved for funding by the Foundation for Local Government Reform within the Improvement of the Social Environment Programme, supported by the Charles Steward Mott Foundation.

The daily centre I can do this! aimed at enlarging the creative skills of the children from the village of Ilindentsi through the creation of an appropriate environment, which would encourage the children s participation in the municipal social and cultural life and develop their creativeness through art activities.

The main target group were students from I VIII grade within the local village school. The successful project implementation has been supported by the school management board, the local community, volunteers and the municipality. The idea has been presented to the community during a discussion meeting with the participation of many citizens and various institutions and organisation. The local community expressed positive reaction towards the idea and expressed their readiness to get involve in its practical implementation.

Three main groups have been formed after feedback and many conversations with the children about their most wanted areas of interest folklore, drawing and creative arts and sports. More than 40 children were involved in the activities of the clubs. Their parents helped in the reconstruction and refurbishment of a hall within the school, which was used as a daily centre for the children. Various materials brushes, water-colours, painting handbooks and paper were provided for the clubs, so that they can start regular activities. Through their participation in various groups the children took part in sport and training activities, singing and dancing classes, drawing and creative art lessons, guided by their teachers.

The youngsters also took part in the traditional annual wine festival, in the Easter and Christmas celebrations and other local events with their paintings, art objects, exhibitions and concerts. A very interesting event within the project has also been the excursion organised for all the children from the child daily centre to Sofia.

Another exciting part of the project was the organisation of a local happening entitled My Village , which was held during the week of the young talents, initiated by the daily children centre. The happening provoked the interest of many young people and involved the participation of local artists and talents, which created a very special informal atmosphere during the event. Another fact, which contributed to the pleasant atmosphere, was the surrounding of the gathering: it was organised within the Ilindentsi Art Centre, under open air and with many sculptures and stone monuments around. During the happening the children presented musical and dance programmes and demonstrated what they have learnt at the daily child centre. The children form the Young Artist group initiated a public drawing contest; the musicians from the other group provoked the audience with e song contest; The young sportsmen organised an orientation and adventure tournament within the beautiful nature park near the village. All initiatives were supported by various local institutions and the community.

The daily child centre is among the greatest investments in the young generation, related to the preservation and development of the cultural heritage and creativeness among the children from the village.

With the implementation of the I Can Do This! project a favourable environment has been created at the local level, encouraging active involvement of the young people from the village in partnership with various institutions and the local community. At the same time the project established a working formula for better utilisation of the leisure time of the youngsters from the village.

The daily centre has well developed material and technical infrastructure and allows for continuation of its activities, according to the wishes and interests of the children.

Contacts:

Dimitrina Urdova

Village of Ilindentsi

Municipality of Strumyani

Tel.: (07434) 2016

St. St. Cyril and Methodius School Board,

Village of Ilindentsi, Municipality of Strumyani