Together from kindergarten
UNICEF and bTV launched a new social campaign on children with specific needs
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UNICEF and bTV’s efforts are directed towards the provision of an environment that supports the full development of every child in kindergarten - regardless of his or her physical and intellectual abilities
In October 2015 bTV Media Group and the United Nations Children’s Fund in Bulgaria launched a mutual social campaign which aims to raise awareness among the general public about the challenges that surround the inclusion of children with specific needs in kindergartens, as well as the ways to ensure appropriate support for the children, especially those with disabilities, their families and the teachers in kindergartens.
The main focus of the campaign is placed on children with specific needs who require additional support in order to develop their skills as fully as possible. First and foremost, those are children with disabilities - mental, cognitive and physical disabilities.
According to a survey conducted among 6 200 Bulgarians, 65% of the respondents revealed that they did not want children with mental disabilities to study and be part of their child’s class, and 20% did not want their children to study alongside children with physical disabilities.
The study is conducted by “G Consulting”, upon the request of the Social Agency for the Protection of the Child. Thus, most children with disabilities turn out to be the most excluded group of children when it comes to access to quality learning and socialization in kindergartens and afterwards in schools - due to prejudice, lack of understanding and supportive environment. Children with specific needs are also children with chronic illnesses, children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, children with behavioral and emotional problems (shorter attention span, hyperactivity), speech impairment, children at risk of learning difficulties, etc.
Once again, some of the best story-tellers in Bulgarian television - Mariana Vekilska, Alexandra Krusteva, Alexander Kadiev and Dessy Stoyanova - are going to express their support by presenting a number of stories where children are the main characters. The campaign is set to reach its climax in November 2015 when bTV will broadcast a grand project in support of the inclusion of children with specific needs.
The campaign aims to raise funds for the development of a model for inclusive and supportive environment for children with specific needs in 10 kindergartens in Bulgaria. The model includes the ensuring of accessible physical environment, individual consultations with specialists - speech therapists, psychologists, etc., for children with specific needs and support for their families so that they actively participate in their children’s lives within the kindergarten; trainings of teachers and so on. In order to reach this goal, BGN 500 000 are needed - the money is going to finance the program for 2 years.
The final purpose is for the project to be recognized as a good practice and to be implemented in all kindergartens in Bulgaria, for the benefit of all children.
Anyone who wants to help the children of Bulgaria live together, grow up and study in an inclusive and tolerant environment which stimulates their development – can do that by sending a text message containing the number 5 to mobile number 1021 and thus becoming a BLAGODETEL with monthly donations through his/her cell phone.*
* By sending a text message containing the number 2 or 5 to 1021 you register for the BLAGODETEL program for automatic monthly donations via mobile phone. The text in the message corresponds with the amount of the monthly donation. No VAT or other taxes are added to the donations of people subscribed to any mobile operator. You can find the general terms and conditions here.
The initiative "Together from the kindergarten" is supported by:
