UNICEF AND BLUE SANTA CLAUS
Together we can bring care, protection and education to every child
Christmas is that time of the year when every child dreams of receiving a special gift. There are gifts that Santa can’t provide, like care, protection or inclusive education, but together – we can make it happen. Become a UNICEF BLAGODETEL and make dreams come true! Generosity is a gift!
GIVE WINGS, Child Advocacy and Support Centers
Violence has no place in children’s lives. Help UNICEF provide support and protection to children and families who have suffered or are at risk of violence.
UNICEF has developed a model of a specialized service for integrated and comprehensive support for children who are victims and witnesses of violence and their parents, called “Zona ZaKrila.” The model provides a safe space where children and their families can receive free help, hope, and support “under one roof” from competent and well-trained psychologists, social workers, and lawyers. The teams work in collaboration with child protection departments, the education system, the police, the prosecution, and the judicial system, while facilitating the efforts of all institutions in the best interest of the child. The model is innovative and was launched in 2015, initially piloted in three regions of the country in partnership with the government, the municipalities of Sofia, Shumen, and Montana, the Social Activities and Practices Institute (SAPI), and the “Animus Association” Foundation.
To meet the ongoing needs for specialized support services of victims across the country, since 2023, UNICEF has been supporting the implementation of the model in new regions and municipalities. The goal is to apply the model in existing social services, where teams will specialize in the methodologies and standards Zona ZaKrila through:
- Training
- Supervision
- Advocacy
- Building a network for multidisciplinary and intersectoral work on cases of child violence
- Developing a professional network and community of practitioners applying the Zona ZaKrila model.
Currently, the model is applied in a total of 11 regions in Bulgaria. In addition to the pilot services, which are now funded by the municipalities of Sofia, Shumen, and Montana, it is being developed in eight new regions: Kyustendil, Yambol, Varna, Vidin, Burgas, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, and Stara Zagora.
Help more children affected by or at risk of violence to have wings again.
GIVE „A Voice for Every Child“
Every child deserves to have access to quality education. There are over 24,000 children with special education needs in Bulgaria. Communication is a challenge for more than 15,000, especially those with cerebral palsy, sensory impairments, autism spectrum disorders or multiple disabilities. Help is required to facilitate communication and learning opportunities.
According to 2024 data from UNICEF, 44 % of professionals in Bulgaria are not even familiar with low-tech aids and how to use them.
UNICEF aims to ensure that every child in Bulgaria has the opportunity to communicate with their parents, teachers and peers using alternative and augmentative communication tools. Since 2021, we have adapted the C-board app into Bulgarian language and distributed it in the country. The application supported the inclusion and learning of more than 300 non-verbal children, and over 1,500 children were supported through their trained teachers, parents, and specialists.
We established a national team of experts and communities for the professional support of teachers and specialists working with children with disabilities and developmental difficulties. More than 1,000 parents, teachers and other professionals in the education sector participated in various training activities to use alternative and augmentative communication tools in their daily environment.
Help every non-verbal child to say “I love you” to their loved ones.
GIVE A CARE, Home Visiting Care
A better future starts in early childhood. The first thousand days in a child’s development are the most important and have a long-term impact on their health, education and behavior. During this unique period, all families need support, but some face more challenges and need the advice of a specialist.
UNICEF works to develop a universal progressive service program for children and families, which aim to support the parents and other caregivers of young children for nurturing care provision. Through the home visiting model, trained nurses and midwifes provide information, guidance, training and support for parents with a view to improving parental care of children, early identification of risks to their optimal development (including risk of abandonment, neglect, violence or developmental difficulties) and early intervention in collaboration with other services and institutions involved with children and families. For the last year, 11 home visiting nurses did 10,000 visits to 458 pregnant women and 2,773 children.
Help every child to receive care and love.
