The National Foster Care Association has organized festive events for the children of the members of the Association from 10 cities in the country. The children of foster families from Sofia, Dobrich, Shumen, Stara Zagora, Smolyan, Targovishte, Vidin, Pleven, Varna and Silistra had the opportunity to gather in one place and play while their foster parents discussed the challenges of foster care and all the precious moments in the growing up of their children. This year the National Foster Care Association delegated the decision about the manner in which International Children’s Day would be celebrated to its local coordinators. Some of the coordinators organized a visit to the puppet theatre or playground and others prepared outdoor games in the park with treats and prizes.

Тo celebrate International Children’s Day the Smolyan club “Rhodope Scout” organised the initiative “Shared childhood” in partnership with the NFCA. Children from foster families could participate in different scouts’ adventres the whole day long. Near the Chapel “St. Konstantin and Elena”, just above the village of Momchilovtsi, more than 30 foster parents and their children, together with 40 scouts of different ages played games, showing the principles of scouting - volunteering, creativity, handling obstacles, mutual aid, and nature conservation. In addition, parents and children prepared the traditional scout bread using only flour, salt and water; everyone kneaded and baked a loaf of bread on the fire.

I would like to wish all small and grown up children well on the occasion of International Children’s Day. I truly believe that childhood is the most important part of our lives. I can see it in my daughter’s eyes, I can see it in my mother’s eyes when she starts talking about my childhood. I can still feel it in my memories. I am convinced that we need to give our children lots of love. I believe that we must insist on effective policy on family issues and efficient support for parents, which will allow them to take care of their children. I am uneasy about the fact that more than the half of the children in our country live in poverty. Said Miroslav Dolapchiev, the President of the National Foster Care Association.