Description
Population distribution in the Municipality of Isperih shows a high percentage of people from ethnic minorities, including Roma. Many of the children do not attend regular kindergarten for reasons of economic, cultural or ethnic character. The main objective of the project is to improve the school preparation of vulnerable children aged 3-6 years (main target group), including Roma, the social and language skills of children who speak another language than Bulgarian.The secondary target group is represented by Roma mediators, pedagogical staff and parents of disadvantaged children. The project aims to enhance the welfare of children and to ensure early multicultural education by further development and improvement of already acquired skills of pre-school education. The partner has proven its experience in working with children and families at risk, as well as in similar projects. The partnership will lead to exchange of knowledge, experience and cooperation, thus sustainable results that will remain as project impact achieved through active work aimed at solving the problems of the target group.
Summary of project results
Municipality of Isperih is with the highest concentration of minority communities in Bulgaria. Many of the children did not attend regular kindergarten for reasons of economic, cultural or ethnic character. The target groups were children from the local community between 3 and 6 years old at risk, especially representatives of the poor and socially disadvantaged families, including the Roma ethnic group.The project was implemented at eight kindergartens in the territory of the Municipality of Isperih. It set out to address barriers facing children in risk and to break the cycle of inequality. The project goals were achieved, because the activities were directed towards the children which are exposed more than others at risk of social exclusion and poverty and who haven't got sufficient preparation for school. In the project were appointed 19 teachers from eight kindergartens, two Roma educational mediators, who were trained under Component 3 "Capacity building" which helped the children during the project implementation. The mediator team, by well knowing the local community and social institutions, assisted in the process of adaptation through out the following instruments: building a connection with the parents of the children and motivating them to take part in project activities; assisting the teachers and directors of the kindergartens in involving the children into the educational process; supporting the positive relationship between Roma and non-Roma children;assisting the children in the process of building communication skills, learn to respect the individuality and the uniqueness of each and every individual; supporting the activities in order to facilitate intercultural dialogue etc. The project had also a very well trained supportive specialists - speech therapist and psychologist. Their work was mostly mobile and performed in each kindergarten which was involved in the project which helped a lot. The Summer schools that were created made easier the transition from kindergarten to school for bilingual children. All eight kindergartens were equipped with toys, beds, tables, chairs, cabinets and educational supplies. The project goals were achieved – 280 children were involved, together with their parents, 19 teachers, 2 Roma educational mediators, one psychologist and one speech therapist. The project had a positive effect on the children from the targets groups, their families and on the local community.
Summary of bilateral results