In the period from 2 to 4.07.2021 in the implementation of the project “Right of participation and voice”, which is implemented with financial support provided by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway under the EEA Financial Mechanism, a camp was held with children and youth from the Children’s Participation Program of Hope and homes for children – Bulgaria. In Plovdiv, the special children of the Parallel World Association made the days exciting and full of dreams and hopes.
What do people like to do the most, regardless of age? – to communicate, to exchange ideas, to have fun and to dream!
When we watch children and young people work together, share their responsibilities and what it means to respect their rights, we are convinced that good years await us in the 21st century. We all strive to preserve the differences of each individual, but to arouse empathy and tolerance.
On one of the days both groups participated in the event “Civil hitchhiker”, organized by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law (BCNL). In the game “Civil Alarm Clock” to learn about our civil rights, everyone looked for possible answers on the question why it is important to associate, to say openly what we think, how important our voice is. To be able to tell our stories freely without fear of punishment. Everyone needs to be heard, to be able to pose problems and seek solutions. Time seems to stop at such moments. Games lead us to a better and more accepted reality.
In the last session of the camp, the children and young people from the two programs together created their own badges under the motto “Emotions from Plovdiv”. They wished each other success and realized that no matter how different we are, we need love, friendship, support and family.
Goodbye Plovdiv! For the next meetings here we already have like-minded people, we will have new stories, new topics and causes to pursue.
