The representatives of Class 2010 presented their activities with the children from the Social Institution for Children with Disabilities in Vidrare at a meeting with the new mayor of Pravets – Mr. Rumen Guninski. For a second year, the Alumni have implemented a therapeutic programme for the children while also supporting their socialization. The main objectives of the programme are to achieve sustainability and show a measurable impact on children with disabilities, as well as to link universities that teach special pedagogy and social institutions for children with special educational needs. The programme has been conducted along with professors and students from the Sofia University and is within a project funded through the Bonita trust and implemented by the Bulgarian School of Politics.

During the meeting with the mayor, the BSoP Alumni Class 2010 explained that while in the first year their work was focused on applied arts sessions aiming at developing fine motor skills, in the second year the accent is going to be on music and drama-therapy. On this way, the children would build on the results achieved so far and the cooperation between the University and the social institution would be sustained. This will allow the students to apply their theoretical knowledge into practice and to enrich their skills through direct work with children. At the same time, the children from the care institution will have a better access to specialists and new therapy methods. Mr. Rumen Guninski agreed to support the initiative and ensure students’ transportation to Vidrare. After the end of the music and drama therapy, the children are going to organize a special event where they will show the results achieved through the sessions.

The successful project work in Vidrare will provide opportunities for laying down the foundations for a new model of cooperation between universities and care institutions for children. This is part of the second component of the project ”Young Leaders Assisting the Social Integration of Children from Institutions” aiming at discussing policies in the process of deinstitutionalization and social adaptation of children from care institutions.