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Bourgas law enforcement officers after a short run with Officer Pavlin Zdrarkov Kovachev holding the Special Olympics Torch. Photographer: Martha Jo Braycich |
“Changing Attitudes-Changing Schools” is a pilot project run by Special Olympics Bulgaria which aims to encourage mainstream schools to create a welcoming environment to facilitate the inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities. The project is being held in eight regions and involves 500 youths with intellectual disabilities, 500 youths without disabilities, 80 teachers in mainstream schools and 80 teachers in special schools.
The inspiration for the project is Article 31 on the right to play in the UN Convention on Children Rights, according to Hristo Hristozov, Acting National Director, Special Olympics Bulgaria. “The right to play supports the rights of expression, the right of participation, and the right to physical and psychological health of children. Play itself is a form of communication among children,” Hristozov said.
“Special Olympics and its initiatives like SO Get Into It, Unified Sports, Partners Clubs, Athlete Leadership training and Youth Forums are effective tools to implement Article 31 and are integrated into the project,” he added.
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A 'thumbs up' from the children about the event |
Developing partnerships, particularly at the community level, is critical to the success of the project. “Partners have the resources and can make things happen, while Special Olympics has a universally appealing message. Working together, we are able to have a social impact that positively engages and affects everyone involved,” Hristozov said.
One of the project's 10 planned events was held in Bourgas in mid-May. The city is led by Mayor Yoan Kostadinov, a longtime Special Olympics supporter. Approximately 70 children between 12 and 13 years old got together for a day of football and people's ball (dodge ball). The children came from mainstream and special schools in Bourgas, Karnobat and Sredets.
“These inclusive activities help mainstream school educators become more understanding of our students with special needs,” said Petko Ivanov, Principal of the mainstream school “Ivan Vazov,” which hosted the event. “Learning is not only about academics; it is about being socially aware as individuals and as citizens,” he said.
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Totodor Hankov, a representative of the professional football club Chernomets, greets the young players. (right) Hristo Hristozov, acting national director, Special Olympics Bulgaria. (from left) Penka Paspaleva, a representative from the local child protection agency; H. E. Octavian Bivol, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria; and Tzvetelina Randdeva, PR manager for the local police department |
The event started with local law enforcement officers running with the Special Olympics torch into the schoolyard. The officers then joined the children for a football match. Teachers, students and guests stood on the sidelines, watching and cheering.
Hermina Emiryan, Program Director for Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe, who was a guest at the event, said: “This type of event shows that children live without prejudice and that they see beyond any differences they may have.” The trust, which promotes the development of civil society, provided funding for the project. The project also received funding from The Mattel Children's Foundation.
Other guests included H. E. Octavian Bivol, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria; Totodor Hankov a representative of the professional football club Chernomets who presented footballs to the teams; and Penka Paspaleva, a representative from the local child protection agency.
During the event a small youth forum was held. (See separate story.)
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Dressed in their “Let's Play Together” T-shirts, the children join teachers, guests and organizers for a group photo. |
Ten volunteers organized the event, including Emil Ivanov, a national champion in the triple long jump; Venelina Bahtcevanova, the local SO get Into It coordinator; and Tzvetelina Randdeva, PR manager for the local police department.
At the end of the games, medals were awarded and red T-shirts with “Let's Play Together” printed on them were presented. Then, the children - chattering, laughing, holding hands, arms linked together - jumped on waiting school buses, waved goodbye and headed home. The school yard was left empty and silent.
The true meaning of friendship
The Youth Forum is an important component of the project because it offers children a chance to talk about their experiences in the school yard. In Bourgas, nine Special Olympics athletes and partners were brought together and were joined by several guests including H.E. Octavian Bivol, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria, and Hermina Emiryan, program director for Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe. During the conversation, the subject turned to friendship. Mehmed Mustafov, 13, a Special Olympics athlete, who sat next to his friend, Georgi Sabev Velkov, 12, a partner, said: “I like to talk and think about things with Georgi. When we are together, it has to be good between us.” Georgi added, “Being friends means treating someone with respect.” Diana Atanasova Ivanova, 13, a partner, has been friends with Special Olympics athlete Sultanka Manolova Yaneva, also 13, for four years. “What I like best about Sultanka is that she is always kind and noble and never gets angry. Sultanka said: “We have never had a fight. I hope we are friends until the end of our lives.”
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H.E Octavian Bivol, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria, with friends Mehmed Mustafov (left) and Georgi Sabev Velkov (right). |
(left-right) Friends forever: Sultanka Manolova Yaneva and her friend Diana Atanasova Ivanova |
Maria Slavova, 24, a university student and Special Olympics volunteer who runs the forums, said that at each gathering, the children vow to be friends forever. “They all share a common vision of what friendship is: being good to each other, not leaving a friend behind, being honest with each other, loving each other,” she said. |
