From Play to School Day

For Our Children Foundation

Think Human Fund

Mission & History

The For Our Children Foundation in Bulgaria began its journey in 1992, originally as part of the British Christian Children’s Fund focusing on aiding marginalized families and children in Bulgaria. In 1997, efforts shifted towards not only providing immediate aid but also influencing state policies for long-term change. A significant milestone was the establishment of the first team of social workers in Haskovo and Plovdiv in 1998. Their mission to prevent abandonment and encourage foster care was further consolidated when the foundation transitioned to a fully Bulgarian organization by 2007 as EveryChild transformed into For Our Children.

Country Information

Bulgaria, particularly its capital Sofia, faces significant disparities in early childhood education access. About 18.5% of children aged 3–6 in Sofia were not enrolled in preschool during the 2022/2023 school year. This is even more pronounced among Roma children, with only 58% attending early education services compared to 83% of their non-Roma peers. Issues such as poverty, limited parental education, and a lack of inclusive support services have been identified as barriers. Moreover, national strategies emphasize the need for expanding early childhood inclusivity and cooperation between educational and social systems.

The Need

There exists a social need in Bulgaria for holistic educational initiatives for vulnerable children from low-income, Roma, or refugee backgrounds, as well as those with developmental difficulties, who face challenges in accessing and adapting to the education system. Many of these children don’t regularly attend preschool, lacking foundational skills required for school. The foundation addresses this need through a comprehensive approach offering cognitive, social, and emotional preparation for these children, ensuring equal educational opportunities.

The Project We Fund

The funded project by For Our Children Foundation supports vulnerable children aged 4–7 in transitioning to preschool and first grade through a holistic summer program. This program integrates play-based learning, social-emotional development, and parental involvement to prepare children both educationally and emotionally for school. The initiative involves partnerships with local kindergartens and schools, and engages teen volunteers to promote inclusive education and community involvement.

The Result

The results of the project are measured through continuous monitoring and evaluation processes. The impact is assessed using individual child progress reports, feedback surveys from parents and educators, and pre- and post-program assessments of children’s readiness for formal schooling. This holistic approach ensures improved cognitive, language, and social skills for children, with efforts further recognized for scalability potential, allowing the model to be adapted to other municipalities and service areas.