Every child needs a loving and caring family. But to our utmost regret, many parents leave their children in social institutions. According to UNICEF, this is the fate of 2000 children, aged under 3 annually. Finding a home for these children is the main responsibility of “For our Children” foundation. The NGO deals with finding foster parents who can take care of the children temporarily.    

Tania is one of the foster mothers working in the Foundation. She is a “professional” parent and it is the second time she accepts an abandoned child into her home, providing them with a warm family atmosphere and a normal childhood.

Tania also has a son of her own. When he was 13, they both had a conversation, discussing how they could help a child in need. “My son expressed the wish to have a brother”, Tania said.

Not so long after, a new 4-yeard old member joined the family, all be it temporarily. He lived with them for a year and a half. “You could talk with him as you would with an adult. He understood everything”, Tania recalled. According to her, his stay in her home was beneficial even to his physical condition. ”He grew by 9cm (3.54 inch) in a couple of months. When a child feels a warm and loving touch, they grow like a mushroom”, she thinks.

According to her, the whole experience also had a very big and positive impact upon her son. He started acting like a big brother, dealing with some domestic duties. ”This foster child enriched us, strengthened our bond and family. My son became much more responsible”, Tania shares.

She thinks that the most difficult part of taking care of an abandoned child is the moment when it has to leave your home - the moment when an adoptive family is found. “The separation is hard, but not so hard that it can make you quit being a foster parent”, Tania says. ”No matter how much time has passed, you are still thinking of that child”, Tania says with tears in her eyes.

Now being a foster mother for a second time, she is certain that she has the will and the energy to continue taking care for many more children, since she has taken it as a personal mission. Tania is sure that the maternal feelings she has towards her own son, do not interfere with those toward the foster children.

According to her, the biggest problem is that the youngsters do not have any medical insurance documents.

“Both my children have very bad teeth. When a child does not have the proper documents (a health insurance identification document) you have to pay for all the medical services”, Tania says.

She thinks that the costs associated with a foster child, do not exceed those for her own child. “Everything depends on the needs and health condition of the children”, Tania explains.

As a professional foster parent, Tania receives funds from “For Our Children” foundation. She receives remuneration and monthly alimony. The remuneration for one foster child is 130% of the minimum wage. In Bulgaria the minimum wage is 380 lev (190 EUR), therefore, for raising a child, Tania receives around 500 lev (250 EUR). The monthly alimony is 100 lev (50 EUR). Additionally the foster parent, receives governmental funding between 30 and 80 lev (15-40 EUR). The foundation also provides one-time financial support during the preparation period, before the actual acceptance of the child, and for personal celebrations like birthdays.

The foster parent candidates must undergo a 120 hour training, organized by “For our children” foundation, which is approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. A special commission is assembled for the actual approval of the candidates. It includes specialists in various child welfare areas – pediatricians, psychologists, lawyers, social workers and experts in foster care