One of the hot topics in Bulgaria these days has been the refugee wave to Bulgaria. A number of questions arose if the state was able to adequately react. The government did not hide that the situation in the country was crisis and said migration pressure on Bulgarian borders was the highest in the past 90 years. Currently the number of refugees is about 7,000 and two thirds of them are Syrians, running away from the war in their country. 10 to 15 percent of these refugees are children, statistics show. The situation is actually constantly changing as every day some 100 new people cross the Bulgarian border. Deputy Minister of the Interior Vasil Marinov reported about cases when refugees who could not reach the Bulgarian border tell their children to go forward hoping on tolerant attitude. What happens with the most vulnerable group of refugees in Bulgaria –children?

The State Agency for Child Protection announced that protecting children’s rights will be a priority, as well as protecting them from violence or discrimination. The Agency voiced its readiness to provide psychologists in the integration centers. The Ministry of Healthcare has started a campaign for immunization. All children of refugees aged 1-15 will be vaccinated against a number of diseases. In order for the children to adapt to the Bulgarian education system, they will pass 6-month language course first. A total of 140 children currently accommodated in integration centers have said they want to study Bulgarian. However, it was recently discovered that no finances are provided for the salaries of teachers and there was a lack of classrooms. The Ministry of Education said they are to help through providing textbooks. The law states that if children in Bulgarian schools wanted to study their mother tongue, the state should provide it.
There is an idea for Arab Studies students in the St. Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia to teach the children.

“The Ministry Of Education has sent a letter to all school principals, calling on school communities, teachers and parents to work for creating a positive public image of the refugee,” Deputy Minister of Education Mukkades Nalbant has recently announced. We also sent a booklet, entitled “The Road of the Refugee.” We try to use various methods for overcoming negative stereotypes.”

A number of non-governmental organizations also pay efforts for the integration of the refugees in the Bulgarian society. For a 4th year now Caritas Sofia have been looking for volunteers who could help children aged 5-17 in the integration centers with their homework.

“The aim of the volunteers is to help children in learning Bulgarian, coordinator Diana Nedeva says. They help with the work of the teacher in the integration center and work with smaller groups with children, thus able to pay attention to the individual needs of students. They also organize visits to interesting places in Sofia.”

More than 100 people volunteered this year. Caritas Sofia chose 40 of them. The approved candidates also pass a quick training for more efficient work with refugees. During the first month they are also backed by more experienced volunteers. Volunteers are various people with different professions. What is the thing that motivates them?

“They want to facilitate the adaptation process for these children. Volunteers could provide adequate help with their homework and use various methods like interactive games. This is very helpful to children.” 


English version: Alexander Markov