Around the World in 80 Schools has been such a success that I have been contacted by schools, business and charitable organisations not featured in the initial project that would like to become part of this ever increasing network.
Around the World in 80 Schools +Plus is an additional feature that will showcase additional schools, orphanages, charities, communities and business around the world that want to come together to make a difference for children around the globe.
If you wish to register your interest then please contact:
charlineevans@hotmail.com
Around the World in 80 Schools + Plus :
First Stop : Bulgaria
My first visit to Bulgaria led me to visit two orphanages and a Social and Educational Development Centre.
My visit to the first orphanage was not a success, there had recently been a programme on UK TV reporting on a Romanian Orphanage. I have'nt seen the programme so cannot comment. However this programme had a negative effect on my visit.
The programme has upset some of the staff and my visit was met with both cynisism and mistrust. Whilst I was allowed to talk to the Head I was not allowed to see the orphanage, children, film or take photos. A decision I respect given the circumstances.
It also reminded me of the need to be both tactful and respectful in my approach to this project. I want to open doors to a better understanding of the needs of our children around the world and we can only do that if we know what is going on and we build a network of trust, in my book a closed door means a closed mind and with closed minds we have no progress.....
My visit to the second orphanage did however raise my spirits. I met a wonderful woman Marion Squires who introduced me the staff and children at an orphanage on the outskirts of Varna.
Marion makes frequent visits to the orphanage and donates much needed equipment i.e. Nappies, Nappy Cream ( desperatly needed), Bootees and Bonnets. The winter in Bulgaria is cold so Marion spends her time knitting bootees and bonnets for the local orphanages, it is surprising how much difference a little baby bonnet can have on a young babies mortality rate and health.
Marion receives donations from freinds and family in the UK and distributes them to the orphanages in Varna.
Her friend Alison Beedham is currently living in Germany and together we are launching the B project !
B = Bottles, Bootees, Bonnets and Bottoms a campaign to collect donations of bottles, bootees, bonnets and baby cream so if you are a knitter and want to knit a bonnet or bootee then get knitting ;0)
Alternatively if you want to send bottles, beakers or nappies then get in touch with me (charlineevans@hotmail.com) or Marion at Marion@kumavo.co.uk
Marion is organising collections from the UK and Bulgaria and Alison is organising collections from friends in the the Uk and in Germany.
If you want to send any donations then please get in touch with Marion at: marion@kumanovo.co.uk
Well done Ladies !!!!!!!!!! :0)
My visit to the Social and Educational Development Centre
was organised by Eurolink who also provided transport and a translator for me for the day so many thanks to Chris Violaris and all his staff for their invaluable help especialy Lili Gospodinova for being my translator for the day and for organising the transport and visits.
I was warmly welcomed by the Director and Staff of the centre and given a guided tour of the premises and met many of their students. The students come from impoverished backgrounds and many of them are orphans. They have a range of disabiliies and social and emotional needs some having been victims of abuse.
The director of the centre was in fact an orphan of the centre himself and having gone through Univesity became a Teacher and now is the centres Director. A passionate, gentle man, who understands the needs of these students more than most.
The centre caters for both the educational and social needs of the students who live onsite until they are 26.
The building is in a delapitated state with few resources but this is more than made up for by the enthusiasm and dedication of the staff and students I met.
When I asked the director what was the things that they needed most, the reply was simple, connections ...... connections to people, organisations, schools, social and educational centres, people who want to share ideas and practices ..... So get in touch !!!!
Personally I was impressed with the staffs committment to the students, their holistic approach to combining their social and educational needs in one facility therefore easing communication between different agencies. The enthusiasm of the students shone through and as Eurolink told me they truly are the lovliest children in the world!
http://eurolink-bulgaria.com/loveliest-children-in-the-world/
Many thanks to all my new Bulgarian friends!
Next Stop - Cambodia
My visit to Cambodia reminded me so much of my trip to India, Like in many third world countries I visited I was reminded of the plight of the forgotten children, the children that live work and feed off the streets. The children work the streets and tourist areas making and selling small gifts, giving guided tours and telling tales of the past. Their education is not a formal one as many do not, or cannot afford to go to school, instead they learn to speak 8 or 9 languages by talking to tourists. Their knowledge coming from the inquisitive questions they ask and the quizzes they play “ I know the capital city of your country” “ I know the name of your president” These children are very much students of the streets, victims of past wars and soldiers of their own personal wars as each night darkness falls and they try to find safety and security on the streets of the night.
In doing this project I have come across many stories of child soldiers and lost children I had wanted to come to Cambodia for such a long time , after hearing the story of Aki Ra a former child soldier of the Khmer Rouge and landline layer.
Aki Ra is one person who has always inspired me, an example of how one person against all adversity can turn his life around and help himself and others.
He started off by turning the garden of his home into a museum of mines and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the dangers of landminds
He lives at then Cambodian Landmine Museum in Siem Reap along with 20 or so other children, all survivors of landmine accidents, all of them from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds, many of them orphans. Here they receive health care and rehabilitation, a place to live and schooling, and a chance to escape the dangerous prospects of Cambodia's landmine-strewn countryside.
The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) estimates that there may be as many as four to six million mines and unexploded ordinances in Cambodia. At the current rate of progress, it may take as many as 100 years to clear all the mines in Cambodia, and the UN estimates that with current technology, it will take nearly 1,100 years to clear all the mines in the world.
There are more than 100-million landmines located in 70 countries around the world, according to OneWorld International. Since 1975, landmines have killed or maimed more than 1-million people
