The idea for the project came up as a result from many discussions, conversations with parents, teachers and the teaching advisor at the Otets Paisii General Education School in Kirkovo. The general opinion was that the children in Kirkovo don t have an equal chance to develop their abilities, compared to the children in the large cities; on the other had, they don t know much about the surrounding world. As the school s ability to finance extracurricular events is too restricted, these two issues were combined in a project, My Choice, which was submitted for funding under FLGR s Social Environment Improvement Program, financially supported by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

The My Choice project was implemented by the Initiative for Kirkovo Association between October 1, 2003 and May 31, 2004. The first month of project implementation was used to hold meetings with parents and to establish a parents board that would assist project implementation. To form student groups, surveys were developed to identify the form of involvement in extracurricular activities preferred by the children. As a result, 3 groups of 15 students each were formed; the students were from 5^th and 6^th grade and the groups corresponded to the three courses available: computers, dancing and photography.

The training of the students in the groups began in October, 2003. Over a period of 6 months the participants studied Bulgarian folk dances, photography techniques and skills, learned how to use the basic Microsoft products (word processing, Internet, e-mail). The courses were facilitated by specialists in the relevant areas. Costumes were tailored specifically for the children in the dancing group. The exceptional interest and the high rate of involvement demonstrated by the children indicate that the right types of extracurricular activities, agendas and facilitators have been identified. Parents, teachers and children have approached the Initiative for Kirkovo Association with requests to have similar activities organized for both younger and older children.

With regard to the second purpose, 6 meetings were organized with the Karlovo municipal administration, the Area Police Department, the Tax Office, the Labor Bureau Directorate, DSK Bank, the Social Assistance Directorate and the Child Protection Department of DSP. The meetings were attended by 15 20 children, mostly from the 7^th grade of Otets Paisii General Education School. Many pressing issues were discussed at the meetings. Some of the most important issues included: how to become bank director; the upcoming issue of ID papers; the presentations of various occupations; assistance available to gifted children; student curfew; the different types of taxes, etc.

The children from the three groups demonstrated what they ve learned on May 12, 2004, at the school s patron holiday. The photography group exhibited photos made by its members; the participants in the dancing group performed a folk dance; and the design of signs, invitations and brochures was assigned to the children in the computer literacy group. The audience and the parents demonstrated great interest in the performances and the artwork exhibited.

More than 90 students from the Otets Paisii General Education School in Kirkovo were involved in the different activities under the project. The My Choice project contributed to the development of these children into complete future citizens of the community.

A model for acquainting the youth with the activities of the institutions and for the involvement of the children in interesting extracurricular activities was developed. The practice can be replicated by all schools in the municipality of Kirkovo, as well as in other Bulgarian municipalities.

An exceptional partnership was established between the Initiative for Kirkovo Association, the school management and the local affiliates of national institutions. Exceptional relations were established with: Tasim Hadzhiveysal, Social Assistance Director; Nasko Sapundzhiev, Chief of the Area Police Directorate; Veselin Kamenov, Deputy-Chief of the Area Police Directorate; Iliya Saruev, Labor Bureau Director; Violeta Zvezdeva, Director, DSK Bank Kirkovo.

For additional information, please contact :

Liliya Sivova

Initiative for Kirkovo Association

8, Druzhba Street

6884 Kirkovo

Tel.: (03679) 2039, (088) 722 8864

Fax: (03679) 2068

Email: [email protected]

Shinasi Syuleymanov

Chair

Kirkovo Municipal Council

1, Druzhba Street

P.O. Box 21

6884 Kirkovo

Tel.: (03679) 2140