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Kate Blewett has released a new video on Bulgarias Abandoned Children. Please visit the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_06cjxCegTM

Thanks for the update Stefan

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Update - March 2008

The individual assessments of all children and young people from the institution in Mogilino were completed at the end of March, according to the plan of action for the closure of the institution.

The planning of the alternative community based services for the children and young people has started. UNICEF will grant funds for the first 'small family type home' in Rousse, which will house six to eight children. The funds for this were raised through the Bulgarian TV charity show The Magnificent Six. Negotiations are also being held with other districts that can provide access to social and health services and are close to the children's families.

Over the last month, three girls from the Mogilino institution were placed in a protected home where they can be more independent and lead a fuller life. There is permanent contact with them, as well as with the new social workers. Three children have been moved to institutions close to their families and another ten will be placed temporarily in an institution in Rousse. These children will be placed in weekly care and work on their reintegration will continue.

UNICEF supports the plan for the closure of Mogilino institution, as part of the deinstitutionalisation process in Bulgaria. Meanwhile, the charity is continuing its work with the Bulgarian government on planning and improving social services for children in need, based on the best interests of the children.
We are currently appealing for financial support from donors to help us deliver our plan for the children of Mogilino.

For more information please visit: www.unicef.org.uk/bulgariamogilino

End of update

This group has been created as a means to help the children featured in the BBC documentary entitled 'Bulgaria's Abandoned Children'. You can watch it online: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9176914173325307126

The programme is about a social care home in Mogilino, Bulgaria where 75 unwanted children are growing up. Most of the children can not talk because no one has ever spoken to them. Some are abused by the staff but are unable to report it as they cannot speak.

The children are severely malnourished and several die every year due to neglect. Some are the same age as me but look much younger as they are wasting away (the girl in the picture is 18). They are locked away at night with only one member of staff to care for all 75 and most never get to go outside. With nothing to do all day, they simply sit and rock backwards and forwards - a typical human response to lack of stimulation. In the mornings they are herded to the showers naked and not even given towels to dry themselves. The younger children sit on potties for most of the day, just rocking.

What is deeply shocking is that this is not the only home like this - in Bulgaria, 1 in 50 children grows up in an institution such as this one. They are abandoned and disowned by their parents due to disabilities such as mild autism, blindness or 'mental retardation'. All these children really want is someone to love and care for them.

I have created this group as a means to start to change the situation. This total disregard for human rights is occurring within the European Union. At present, these children are forgotten about and left to suffer. Kate Blewett, the producer/director of the documentary will be writing a summary for the group shortly.

Together we can help these children and ensure this situation stops so that no more children have to grow up in such a bleak and uncaring environment.
(read less)

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Kate Blewett has released a new video on Bulgarias Abandoned Children. Please visit the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_06cjxCegTM

Thanks for the update Stefan

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Update - March 2008

The individual assessments of all children and young people from the institution in Mogilino were completed at the end of... (read more)