The National Foster Care Association organized a ninth camp for young people in foster care. During the first of the traditional two annual camps for young people they discussed topics related to self-confidence, self-esteem, emotional adaptation and challenges that children in foster families are facing. The young people debated over recommendations for the conduct of social workers and foster parents in various stages of foster care. Their advices will be published in an educational booklet that will reach all participants in foster care in Bulgaria.

One of the main difficulties for foster children is overprotection and unequal attitude which Bulgarian educational and social system show. "I cannot understand why my foster parents are unable to boast of my achievements as a football player with pictures from tournaments", comments 15-year-old Dimitar*. For the 16-year-old Tanya it is inexplicable why her class leader explains to everyone that she is in a foster family. "I'm terribly sad as they all look at me like an alien, because I'm the only foster child in my school. Others mock with me and make fun of me”, says Tanya*. The young people demanded suspension of this overprotection and of the constant excuse about important things in their lives with the explanation that they are in foster care. Besides the publication of their pictures, they gave as other example the impossibility to go abroad with their foster parents, the need to be placed in another foster family, when foster parents go on a trip or are absent for a few days, etc.

The most serious problem that the biological children of foster parents face is the one related to jealousy, and that no one helps them, when foster children leave their home. “This fear is constant and it often turns into anxiety”, the psychologists of NFCA say. “Seven children have already passed through our family, but not a single social worker or a psychologist has ever asked me how I feel and what I experience”, says the 17-year-old Victor*.

The camps, organized by NFCA, are the only place for sharing the experience and emotions of children and young people in foster families. Every year the association organizes at least two youth camps and one three-day meeting for young people with the clear conviction that sharing the experience changes and helps the socialization of children. During this camp the young people had the opportunity to receive professional advice on their career opportunities, as well as on their presentation skills by experts from the leading telecom Mtel. The President of NFCA Miroslav Dolapchiev shared with them valuable advices and guidance on how to defend their theses and to justify their opinions, so that they can be more active in defending their own rights. In a special session on children's rights and communication skills, the young people had the opportunity to analyze their own contribution to strengthening the values ​​of childhood.

* The Names of children have been changed according to the Law on Child Protection.