Description
The project addresses the challenged social inclusion of children with special educational needs (SEN). The project aims at involving such children in social, cultural and educational activities to overcome their marginalization. First, 20 students and 40 children, 20 of them with SEN, will be selected as participants. Second, the project will be promoted to the public and in the social media. Third, the programme for the 3 schools (creative writing, art, puppet theatre) will be drafted. Fourth, the students – volunteers will be trained to work with children in the 3 schools. Next, classes at the 3 schools will take place every Saturday for 5 hours for 3 months. In addition, families and children with SEN will be provided with individual psychological counselling. Finally, the outcomes will be presented in the form of a puppet theatre performance and an art exhibition. The project will benefit the children with SEN, their families, peers, teachers, the volunteers and the public.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the challenged social inclusion of children with special educational needs (SEN). Its implementation helped create an environment in which children with and without special educational needs (SEN) had the opportunity to use their creative skills together without being segregated. The model proved to be successful and stirred interest in many children, parents, teachers, the media and institutions. 20 students - volunteers joined actively the project and were trained in 4 thematic areas. Afterwards they applied what they learnt in classes with 43 children (20 of whom with SEN) in 3 creative schools in 2 places. The children’s online magazine Shtarkel (Stork) published under the project involved 84 children with and without SEN from Bulgaria whose works were published; the final exhibition With a Bird’s Soul included children with hearing impairments from Plovdiv and Sofia, YANIKA and MEDIA Educational Centres and children with SEN from Silistra. The psychologist helped a lot with consultations of families of children with SEN. The puppet play entitled Silyan Shtarka (Silyan the Stork) was prepared and performed as part of the events at the Paper Festival – Sofia, at the Night of Museums and galleries. The performance was filmed by a team of volunteers, a video was made and there is also a radio drama version. The developed model for cultural and creative cooperation can be applied in every city or town. Shtarkel Magazine will continue to exist after the project end with a view to becoming an audio-visual platform of all children in Bulgaria, including with SEN. For more information about the project, please, visit:
http://storks.biz/ https://www.facebook.com/storksproject/?fref=ts
Summary of bilateral results