Our history and our future

Our history

“For Our Children” foundation is a Bulgarian non-governmental organization, successor of two British organizations, “The European Children's Trust” and “Christian children's fund”. The two humanitarian organizations have been operating in Bulgaria since 1992, initially assisting with food, medicines and household goods for vulnerable children and their families in regions with complicated economic conditions. Later, the two organizations merged into the non-governmental organization “EveryChild” (http://www.everychild.org.uk).

In Bulgaria the Foundation develops services for preventing child abandonment, for taking children out of social institutions, for returning kids to their families and last, but not least, lobbying for closure of social homes for children.

“EveryChild” has been the first Bulgarian non-governmental organization to establish foster care (i.e. care for abandoned children in non-relative families). Experts of the organization have been involved for years in the development of state policies in the field of child protection. After Bulgaria’s EU accession, “EveryChild” withdrew from the country, but the team continued to work under a new name – “For Our Children”.

Our managing principles

The foundation is registered in public benefit, which means that it serves the public interest and is subject to constant monitoring by the state and public authorities. The internal systems for resource management and organizational development were inherited from our British partners and perfected by Bulgarian associates from the business sector. The organization works on the basis of a business plan and clearly-stated procedures.

We are:

• Social workers who help children remain with their families;
• A team of professionals who apply modern methods of working with children and assist the state in determining the state standards for child care;
• People who believe that the best place for raising a child is in his/her family or in a family-based care (Small Group Homes, Crisis Centers, foster care and others.)
• Our Priorities
• Preventing the abandonment of children and their placement in institutions
• Equal access for children with disabilities to school and kindergarten
• Quality family or family-based care for children with severe disabilities.

Our achievements

• In 1998 we introduced for the first time in our country foster care. Later it became a national priority.
• In 2004 we introduced the first Small Group Home model in Bulgaria. It was pilot and later was regulated in the legislation.
• In the last 3 years we have prevented the abandonment of more than 150 babies and children up to 3 years old in social institutions sticking to the approach that life outside the family should be as short as possible.
• In 2006 we supported 1462 children and their families stay together by providing them with consultation, guidance, financial support and advocacy.

Our friends and supporters

• "For Our Children" Foundation is managed by a trust committee, which consists of three members – Zlatka Mihova, Plamen Dimitrov and Maxim Behar.
• The organization also has an Advisory Board, which includes prominent members of the Bulgarian society from various sectors of public life.
• Our activities are supported by a wide range of professional communities, representatives of media and business.

In 2009 we:

• Created National Center for Prevention of Child Abandonment which is the first of its kind in Bulgaria.
• Assisted 11 young people from social institutions to improve their social and life skills and prepare them for their independent and lonely life
• Supported 224 children not to lose their parents. Now these children live happily with their mothers and fathers.
• Helped 66 mothers keep their babies thanks to the pilot consulting practice in the maternity wards. For the children – this is crucial part of their life because the potential separation with the mother has terribly negative impact on their development.
• Helped 24 children with disabilities and now they live better.
• Brought three children from institutions back to their biological families.
• Trained and supported 70 prospective foster parents, which is the first step to take 70 children out of institutions, place them with these families and provide the love and life they deserve.