For Our Children Foundation

For Our Children Foundation is a successor to the British organization for protecting children’s rights “EveryChild” and has been working in Bulgaria since 1992. For Our Children is the first Bulgarian non-government organization that introduces foster care as early as 1997. Today they are working to make sure no Bulgarian child spends the first years of their life in the isolation of the institutions but lives safe and loved in a family. They aim to provide the highest level of support for the babies, children and young people who are at most risk in their communities. They work closely with families, extended families, foster carers and healthcare professionals to ensure that every child has the best chance. Vision: They want every vulnerable child in Bulgaria to experience a safe and happy childhood and to look forward to a bright future. Mission: They aim to provide the highest level of support for the babies, children and young people who are at most risk in their communities. They work closely with families, extended families, foster carers and healthcare professionals to ensure that every child has the best chance. Why do they exist? 16% of Bulgarian’s population is under 18 years’ old Child poverty in Bulgaria is among the highest in Europe The mortality rate of children under five in Bulgaria is twice the average rate of the rest of the European Union Every year 2000 babies are abandoned in Bulgaria, half of these are abandoned in hospital maternity wards Bulgaria has the highest number of abandoned babies in Europe Мore than 4000 Bulgarian children live in institutions Roma children make up 60% of the total number The specific needs of mentally and physically disabled children living in institutions are frequently neglected. For Our Children Foundation discovered a 16 year old girl with severe physical disabilities who weighed just 10kg Over 40 Children’s Homes in Bulgaria do not have adequate living space. In some instances, more than 6 children have to share one small bedroom Children in institutions are not permitted to keep any personal belongings such as photographs and shoes Young people are not given the necessary life skills to cope after leaving the institution What do they do? They strive to stop children and babies from being abandoned They provide direct tailored support to individual families considered at risk to give them the best chance of staying together They challenge the public perception that children’s homes/institutions are an acceptable alternative to a stable family environment Wherever possible they reunite children from institutions with their birth families They give individuals and couples in Bulgaria the opportunity to become foster carers They campaign for the rights of the child