Latest update on Mogilino closure
21/04/2008
There has been a great deal of political interference in recent months particularly since Mrs Maslarova declared the home would be closed. It is clear the government want the home closed as quickly as possible in order to close the book on the scandal which Kate Blewett's film exposed. As a result information on the closure and particularly the children's future has been confusing at times.
UNICEF, For Our Children (FOC) and the other specialists and staff have made great strides to rehabilitate the children medically and we can confirm that all the children who were malnourished have now gained at least 4 kgs. The children's physical and psychological rehabilitation will of course take much longer but progress is being made. This week we are organising for orthopaedic products, such as spinal jackets, and neck collars to be sent to the home for some for the bedridden children to help their mobility. It is through the continued generosity of our donors that we have been able to fund the work UNICEF and FOC are carrying out at the home.
The government have set a deadline for Mogilino to be closed by the end of April and a number of children have left already but in reality there will still be children at the home after this date.
Preparing the children to leave Mogilino is a delicate task. For some of the children it is the only place they have ever known and the prospect of new surroundings and people will be frightening. UNICEF and FOC have undertaken assessments on every child at Mogilino and have researched and recommended the best possible situation for the children. As part of this process the children's parents were contacted and asked if they wished to re-establish or grow the relationship with their child. Three children have gone to care homes nearer their families as part of the plan to reintegrate them into their families. Local social workers will work with these families to assist the process.
Through UNICEF, every possible care option has been considered for the children on an individual basis. For some of the more disabled children a new small group home is being proposed in Rouse, which is the nearest main town, and this is an initiative that TBACT are looking to help fund. Other children have or will go to new homes that are suitable for their abilities. There are also plans for more protected homes to be built for older children who can enjoy a level of independence. Fostering and adoption families are also being considered for some of the younger children.
As some children have left and more are due to leave shortly, we have appointed a Bulgarian supporter with the task of following up on all the children to ensure they are doing well in their new placements and to offer assistance if necessary. This will be an ongoing commitment to the children.
We are also looking to implement a Baba Scheme for all the children in their new placements. A Baba (Granny in Bulgarian) is a sort of visiting friend for the children, talking, playing and generally taking a personal interest in them and their well being. The Baba scheme has been incredibly successful and beneficial to many children in social care and we would like to see it expanded across Bulgaria. Three of the children from Mogilino have been moved to a new home in Rouse where they have Baba and are making real strides in progress. A member of the TBACT team recently saw the Baba scheme in action at a social care home in Plevin and commented:
'We were received by the director and after a 10 minute round of introductions were taken to the playroom where we saw about 25-30 under 3s and about 12 Babas. The children were lively and making use of the toys and playhouse. I spoke to several of the Babas and engaged with the children who were certainly small for their ages but animated and curious. The Baba’s all explained how they had been recruited and their reasons for wanting to join the scheme. It gives them a sense of continuing life purpose and enables them to use their considerable experience in raising and being engaged with their own families. They explained that they were supported by the resident psychologist who supervised them and helped them in their work. Each Baba is allocated two children. Strollers have been provided and they are able to take the children into the town, out for walks and even to their own homes. The benefits to the children are that they form an attachment to an important adult in their lives.......... This is an important part of a child’s development and enables them to more easily achieve important developmental milestones. Typically, children who do not walk and who are non-verbal and dis-engaged begin to become mobile, make sounds, form words, develop communication and so on. Their was clearly a level of intimacy between the Babas and their charges. The director spoke in very positive terms about the contribution the scheme has made to the children’s wellbeing.'
In terms of specific information on the children we are unable to disclose too much personal detail but we can tell you:
Bojidar is one of three children who have moved to other care homes to be nearer their family. He lives in the care home during the week and returns to his family every week end. This is the start of a process of reintegration into his family and social services will work with his family to ensure they can cope.
Stoyan has been placed on the adoption register and it is hoped a family will be found for him soon. He did not have an operation to restore his sight as it was decided this was not in his best interests.
Didi has been moved to a protected home in Rouse where it is hoped she will learn independent living skills and have use of the facilities a large town can offer. She understands that her mother will not return to collect her. Two other girls have gone to this home also.
Milan and Misho continue to do well at their protected home in the south of the country.
Vasky is progressing well but her rehabilitation is expected to be slow. The years of neglect have taken their toll on her and she now has been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
We remain committed to the children of Mogilino, to safeguard their best interests and help with their recovery and social inclusion in any way we can.
The TBACT Team
Thanks to the specialists and staff all the children who were malnourished have now gained at least 4 kgs.
As some children have left and more are due to leave shortly, we have appointed a Bulgarian supporter with the task of following up on all the children to ensure they are doing well in their new placements and to provide assistance if necessary.