The sun over Sofia seemed to shine a little more brightly this morning. The children from the Child participation Programme at HHC – Bulgaria and their friends from the Aleko Konstantinov Family type placement center for Children and Youth with Disabilities in Sofia had sparkling eyes and that special excitement that can only be felt when something magical is about to happen.
The room was filled with colors—bright pieces of paper, glue, and boundless imagination. Each child created their own day—from the early moments when the alarm clock rings and the little tasks at home begin, to the afternoons filled with games, laughter, and dreams. Colorful worlds came to life on the tables: houses, gardens, people, windows, warm suns, and clouds of all shapes.
While their hands were creating, their lips were telling stories. Stories about the world as they want it to be, about the moments that make them happy, and about friendship. The words were mixed with laughter and sometimes with quiet pauses, during which you could sense that someone was thinking about something sweet.
But the day had another surprise in store—a celebration! A beautiful young lady turned 23, and we immersed her in music, dancing, and smiles.
This day was not just a meeting. It was shared happiness, built with pieces of paper, drops of laughter, and large handfuls of love. And once again, it reminded us that when we create and laugh together, the world becomes a place where everyone is welcome and loved.
The activity is part of the “Participate Now!” project, which is implemented within the INSPIRE project: Improving national support for prevention, intervention, and response to violence against children, and empowering victims, and is co-funded by the European Union and the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (WCIF).
