“I am participating in the program to show the true meaning of doing something from the heart. I strongly believe that the charitable cause behind it all is something extraordinary that should be truly valued.”
– Raya, 16 years old
Hope and Homes for Children runs Our Voices Matter (OVM) groups in each country we work in.
These groups are designed to empower children to speak out on the issues that affect them, provide them with support, training, mentorship and advice, and support participants to have their voices heard.
In this blog, we’d like to share some of the thoughts and observations of the young people who are part of the OVM group in Bulgaria.
Voices of the children of Bulgaria
“In Bulgaria, unfortunately, there are children who are abandoned by their parents. Some are left to live in care centres. Bulgarian children also want to have a lot of fun and make friends. They want to receive love and care from their relatives. They want to have more games and fun with their peers. They love to laugh and are always friendly to others.”
“It is important that children get an education so that they can develop. They want to know more about Bulgaria and visit different geographical places that are important for our country. Children are friendly and like to help people in need. For example, there are children who buy food and give it to homeless people who are in need.”
“I thought about the mothers who abandon their children, maybe they don’t want to do it, but there is no one to help them. One of the big problems in Bulgaria is poverty. Even for those who have a job.”
What we want:
- We want our voice to be heard
- We have rights that we want to be respected
- We would like a good future
- We desire to receive love
- We want everyone to have access to education
- We want more Bulgarians to develop in our country.
Reflections from children who took part in the Our Voices Matter groups:
- Regardless of age (young and old), everyone can do good and spread their activities. There is someone in need around every corner and it is our duty as program participants to find them and support them – both emotionally and physically.
- Our program is characterised by communication between participants about essential (fundamental) topics on which we work. When we get together, everyone expresses their point of view and we reach a consensus. The next step of our activity is to implement our plan. A golden rule of our organization is that the plan we have created is executed.
- How each participant feels and thinks is important for the development of the program.
