Milena Popova, Soroptimist International Club Ruse
Abstract: Professional women from Soroptimist International Club Ruse, Bulgaria organized two events within the frame of the Bread Connects project and Bread-Baking-Week with 23 children from the Centre for work with children at risk and the Centre for accommodation – family type and a training for 5 students from the University of Ruse’s academic club Young social pedagogue.
Event 1: On 13.10.2017, a group of women from SI Club Ruse with their own children visited the Centre for work with children at risk and organized a drawing activity on flour surface. The children drew and shared their experiences, thus discovering new things about each other. Then they made a common sourdough bread under the guidance of the Soroptimist members, and each child made his/her own small figure to express their fears and joys. Before baking the bread each child made one wish for their future. In the event also participated students from the academic club Young social pedagogue of the University of Ruse, social workers from the Centre, university lecturers.
Event 2: On 21.12.2017 members from SI Club Ruse and students from UR visited the Centre for work with children at risk and the Centre for accommodation – family type and interacted with the children about the meaning of Christmas. Traditional Christmas cakes – “kolacheta” – were made for the children to share with their parents and friends.
Training: Following Event 1, at 16.10. 2017, 5 students were trained in the method of using everyday activities like bread-making to establish personal contact with and win the trust of children in distress. The two topics of the workshop were: “Bread – traditions and symbolism” – lecturer Juliana Andonova; “Using bread as a tool for emotional intelligence and inclusion – make a drawing, make a wish” – lecturer Milena Popova. The students were awarded certificates of participation and on 13.12.2017, they put to practice what they had learned at the workshop, working with young people with special educational needs at the Vocational School of Machine-building in Ruse.
