Bulgaria remains one of the poorest countries in the EU, with many people living in extreme poverty, especially amongst the Roma communities.
Many children do not receive a proper education; healthcare is too expensive for most people; and there are many orphanages where the level of care is inadequate, and abuse is commonplace. Sadly, many children in Bulgaria still live in state run orphanages. Our overseas partner Marina, and her team of volunteers, visit them regularly, taking the children for picnics, and bringing cakes and small gifts. However, the sad facts are that most of the girls are vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation as soon as they leave the orphanage.
Human
trafficking is a growing problem with thousands of Bulgarian girls being
trafficked to other European countries each year as they are forced into
prostitution to feed their families, or even believe that it is the best form
of income.
Partnering with Logos Global Vision, WOW supports projects in Plovdiv and Sliven, actively educating girls about the dangers of human trafficking, and encouraging them to get a good education so that they have employment opportunities. Our aim is to show them that they have value and worth, and for them to have a better future.
WOW has worked in Bulgaria for several years, supporting our partner Logos Global Vision to help orphans, to educate girls from disadvantaged communities about the dangers of trafficking, and to educate children from the Roma communities.