“Every child has the right of family and love” – with this message, 15 children aged between 8 and 17 years of Hope and homes for children – branch Bulgaria’s child participation program have addressed the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Bisser Petkov.
The children received an invitation for a personal meeting with Minister Petkov and his team in response to their appeal to present to the Minister ideas and suggestions for improving the lives of children deprived of family care and to provoke a discussion on this sensitive theme. The event was held on May 3, 2018 at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.
The advocacy group shared their concerns for the life and future of those children who have the difficult destiny to grow, deprived of the security and warmth of family care and parental affection. With touching messages, they advocated the right of abandoned children to live in a family environment, and receive quality care when residing in residential services.
The children called for quick solutions to be found for their coevals, who are still accommodated in specialized institutions, and raised the question about the continuing placements of healthy babies and small children in the Homes for medical and social care. They also emphasized the 10 year aim of the Organisational strategy of British charity organization Hope and homes for children – by December 2027, worldwide, orphanages will no longer be an acceptable way to look after children.
Minister Bisser Petkov assured the advocacy group that he took the questions raised in all seriousness and expressed his will for establishing a continuing partnership by encouraging child participation in decision-making on children’s policies. Minister Petkov expressed the hope that the example of the children will encourage the manifestation of empathy and will gain more extended hands to the cause of the children of Bulgaria.
