Напредва преместването на резидентите

Фондация „Сийдър” напредва с преместването на резидентите от институцията в Горна Козница в новите семейни центрове в Кюстендил. Набира скорост планът за обучение на персонала и до момента резултатите са положителни. Ние се надявахме да започнем същинското преместване на резидентите през август или септември, но се очаква забавяне, тъй като необходимите документи от страна на общината не са подготвени. С това предвид, новата цел за преместването на резидентите от Горна Козница е датата 15. октомври.

Постижения на офиса в Казанлък

Офисът на фондация „Сийдър” в Казанлък продължава работата по проектите „Кръг от приятели” и С.К.О.С. Проектът „Кръг от приятели” беше завършен с четвъртата си и последна сесия, но с обещание за повторно изпълнение на проекта следващото лято. Фондацията беше много впечатлена от българските студенти доброволци в този проект и ние оценяваме техните усилия.

Системата С.К.О.С. продължава да има положителен ефект върху децата в Дневния център в Казанлък и Бузовград. Ние се надяваме да въведем тази система в новите услуги за резидентите от Горна Козница през следващите месеци.

„Сийдър” в медиите

Месец август показа „Сийдър” във вестници и по телевизията на няколко пъти. Българският ТВ канал ПРО-БГ направи репортаж относно работата на „Сийдър”в институцията в Горна Козница и новите семейни центрове в град Кюстендил, където децата ще бъдат пренастанени. Репортажът включва интервюта с мениджъра на фондация „Сийдър”, директора на институцията, изпълнителния директор на фондация „Сийдър” и неговата съпруга. И двата репортажа са на разположение на: http://novinitepro.bg/bulgaria/za-detsata-ot-doma-v-gorna-koznitsa-nov-zhivot-v-nov-dom.html#video

Как Вие можете да помогнете

За повече информация относно как повече да подпомогнете фондация „Сийдър” или да направите финансови приноси чрез PayPal, ePay или банков превод, проверете нашия уебсайт: www.cedarfoundation.org, или се свържете с Линкън на cedarfoundationbg@gmail.com. Също така, за тези от вас в България проверете нашата кредитна карта iCard Mastercard и направете дарение с всяка покупка! (https://www.icard.bg/more/?sc=Cedar).

Благодарим за вашата постоянна подкрепа!

-Екипът на фондация „Сийдър” -

Relocation process of GK residents moving forward

The Cedar Foundation continues to make progress towards the relocation of the residents from the Institution in Gorna Koznitsa to the new family type centres in Kyustendil. Implementation of the staff training plan is in full swing and thus far the results are positive. We had hoped to begin the actual transfer of residents in August or September, however a delay is expected as necessary documents on the Municipal side are incomplete. With this in mind, the new target for full relocation of all residents from Gorna Koznitsa is now October 15th.

Kazanlak office achievements

Cedar Kazanlak has been staying busy with the projects “Circle of Friends” and P.E.C.S. The “Circle of Friends” project was concluded with its fourth and last session, but with the promise of repeating this project next summer. Cedar has been very impressed with the Bulgarian student volunteers in this project and we appreciate their efforts.

The P.E.C.S. system continues to have a positive impact on the children in both the Day Care Centres in Kazanlak and Buzovgrad. It is our hope that we will be able to bring this system to the new homes for the current residents of Gorna Koznitsa in the coming months.

Cedar in the News

August saw Cedar in both print and television news multiple times. Bulgarian TV Channel PRO-BG made a TV report about Cedar’s work in the Institution in Gorna Koznitsa and the new Family type centres in the town of Kyustendil where the children will be resettled. The report includes interviews from The Cedar Foundation Project Manager, the Director of the Institution, resident Mitko, and Cedar Foundation Executive Director and his wife. Both videos are available here: http://novinitepro.bg/bulgaria/za-detsata-ot-doma-v-gorna-koznitsa-nov-zhivot-v-nov-dom.html#video

How YOU Can Help

For more information about how you can further assist The Cedar Foundation, or to make financial contributions via PayPal, ePay, or bank transfer, check our website at www.cedarfoundation.org, or contact Lincoln at cedarfoundationbg@gmail.com. Also, for those of you in Bulgaria, be sure to check out our Cedar Foundation iCard Mastercard and make a donation with every purchase! (https://www.icard.bg/)

Thanks for your continued support!

-The Cedar Team-

Летни лагери на фондация „Сийдър”
От 21 юли до 2 август фондация „Сийдър” прие група доброволци от училище Сейкрид Харт в Нюкясъл. Разделени на две групи, младите девойки работиха в летните лагери, организирани от „Сийдър” за децата от институциите в Горна Козница и Бузовград. Всеки ден доброволците извеждаха децата на разходки в общността и извършваха дейности като боядисване на тениски, игри, изкуство и дори заведоха децата във воден парк. С нетърпение очакваме да приемем тази група млади девойки отново следващата година и ние оценяваме цялата им усилена работа. (Повече информация на уебсайта: http://www.cedarfoundation.org/bg/News‐and‐Events/News.html)

Проект за социална интеграция „Приятелски кръг”
Фондация „Сийдър” започна проект за социална интеграция в Казанлък, наречен „Приятелски кръг”. Той събира местни тинейджъри от Казанлък и деца от институцията в Бузовград. Заедно те извършват различни дейности като правене на тебешир, огърлици от цветя и др. Идеята зад този проект е да улесни интеграцията на децата с увреждания от институцията в местната общност. Децата от институцията очакват с нетърпение срещите с техните нови приятели и ние сме благодарни на всички ученици за тяхната усърдна работа. (Повече на уебсайт: http://www.cedarfoundation.org/bg/Projects/Social‐Integration‐Circle‐of‐Friends.html)

Подкрепа за Сийдър от чужбина
Сийдър получи 2174 новозеландски долара от обществото в Нова Зеландия Свети Кирил и Методий, събрани чрез търг и културно
мероприятие. Това дарение ще бъде насочено за реновиране на един общински апартамент в Кюстендил (в дясно), в който ще живеят 4 младежи с увреждания от Горна Козница. Също така, Баптистката църква Селсдън в Англия продължава своята подкрепа за дете с аутизъм, което проявява автоагресия в институцията в Бузовград. Чрез тяхната последователна подкрепа склонностите на детето към самонараняване намаляха и качеството на детето се подобри. Църквата дари също 2500 лири за проектите на фондация „Сийдър” в Казанлък. Благодарим на всички ви! Въпреки щедрите дарения, ние имаме нужда от още помощ.

Как можете да помогнете
За повече информация относно това как можете да подпомогнете фондация „Сийдър” или да направите финансово дарение чрез Paypal, ePay или банков превод, проверете нашия уебсайт www.cedarfoundation.org, или се свържете с Линкън Фрейджър на cedarfoundationbg@gmail.com. Също така за тези от вас в България, проверете нашата Кредитна карта Мастеркард и направете
дарение с всяка покупка. (https://www.icard.bg/more/?sc=Cedar).

Благодарим ви за последователната подкрепа
-екипът на фондация Сийдър-

Изграждането на новите къщи завършено!
Фондация „Сийдър” гордо обявява, че изграждането на новите семейни центрове за 35 резиденти от институцията в Горна Козница (ГК) приключи. Те са построени чрез партньорството ни с общините Кюстендил и Бобов дол и правителството. Завършването на строителството отбелязва значителен прогрес в проекта по деинституционализация. През юли започва преместването на резидентите в общността, където ще започнат нов живот. Изграждането на новите семейни центрове е огромна стъпка, но предстои много работа. (Повече информация на www.cedarfoundation.org/bg/News‐ and‐Events/Upcoming‐events.html)

Система за Комуникация чрез Обмен на Снимки
Ние постигнахме успех в прилагането на Системата за Комуникация чрез Обмен на Снимки (СКОС) в Дом „Мария Луиза” в Бузовград и Дневен център ‐ Казанлък. Този проект е финансиран от фондация „Сийдър” и оглавяван от доброволката на фондация „Сийдър” и Корпуса на мира Ан Балсер. СКОС е система за развитие на алтернативна комуникация за тези, които, поради увреждания, имат затруднения да изразяват своите мисли и чувства. В резултат на работата на Ан няколко деца по‐добре изразяват своите нужди и желания. Фондация „Сийдър” ще продължи да финансира този проект и разказва за неговата ефективност.
(повече информация на: www.cedarfoundation.org/bg/Projects/P-E-C-S.html)

Открито посещение в ААУ
На 16 юни фондация „Сийдър” и Англо‐американското училище в София (ААУ) организираха събитие за някои от младежите от ГК. Учениците от „Сийдър ААУ” създадоха програма с дейности, която включваше гонитба, изкуство (в ляво), игри с топки, хвърчила, физкултурни дейности, барбекю. Всеки резидент бе групиран с ученик от ААУ за деня и трудно може да се определи, кой се забавляваше повече. „Сийдър ААУ „осигури превоз от и до ГК, всички материали и страхотен обяд.
(повече снимки на нашата FaceBook страница)

Как може да помогнете
За повече информация как да помогнете или направите дарение чрез PayPal, ePay, банков път, проверете нашия уебсайт www.cedarfoundation.org, или се свържете с Линкън Фрейджър на cedarfoundationbg@gmail.com. Също така за живеещите в България, проверете нашата Cedar Foundation iCard Mastercard и дарете с всяка покупка. (www.icard.bg/more/?sc=Cedar). Благодарим ви за вашата постоянна подкрепа!

-Екипът на фондация „Сийдър”-

Fostering a Community 

Cedar Foundation staff members conducted trainings for the care giving personnel in the Protected Homes in Ardino and Marchevo in Therapeutic Society Programs. These include a therapeutic kitchen and therapeutic gardening classes, which are designed to teach the residents how to communicate better and work within a group. In addition, these small therapeutic communities will facilitate the integration of the residents into the larger communities of their respective towns. Many members of the local communities have gotten to know their newest neighbors.

Fun in the Sun…and Rain 

On May 15th, The Cedar Foundation (TCF) in partnership with The American English Academy in Sofia (AEA) held our second annual “Spring Fling”. This event is intended to be a fun day in the sun for AEA students and staff, as well as for residents from the Institution in Gorna Koznitsa (GK). The AEA community prepared numerous carnival type games, and our host, Air Sofia Golf Club, provided free facilities, including basketball, football, pony rides, and other amenities. Despite a bit of rain and a few dark clouds, the residents from GK, as well as the students, staff and parents from AEA, had a great time and enjoyed the festivities.

Visitors from Selsdon in Buzovgrad 

Three volunteers from Selsdon, England visited our Kazanlak operations and spent time with the orphans in Buzovgrad and joined in our work there. They spent one week with the children and have donated funds that will be used to pay for the surgeries for Petko (see the following link to Jan. 2010 Archive: http://cedarfoundation.org/blog/?m=201001&lang=en). They have also given three strollers for use at the Institution “Maria Luisa” in Buzovgrad. This group has been providing funding for a caregiver in this institution since July, 2009, and they left satisfied with the work she has been doing.

April ’10 Newsletter

It’s the Small Things

Six young ladies from Newcastle spent two weeks volunteering their time and energy at the institutions in Buzovgrad and Gorna Koznitsa. In addition to spending time playing with the orphans and helping the staff, they brought many of the kids into the local communities and worked to help with integration. Along with staff, they brought 24 of the orphans from Buzovgrad to a mall in the city of Stara Zagora. None of the kids had seen a mall before and they were all struck by the many new sites and sounds. For lunch they went to a McDonald’s where for the first time they used straws (which amazed them) and tried French fries (which they loved). A big THANKS to our volunteers for their help and hard work!

Help in the Kitchen

Residents who have relocated from the institution in Gorna Koznitsa to a Protected Home in Ardino have been learning life skills and making tremendous progress. Under a program called ‘Help in the Kitchen’, Tsveti has already learned to make coffee and enjoys making it for staff and other residents. Martin is also learning this skill and will soon be brewing pots of coffee for himself and his housemates. All residents in Ardino are learning to show preferences for foods they like and dislike, how to prepare this food, and how to clean-up afterwards. While living in Gorna Koznitsa these life skills and identity traits were extremely difficult, if not impossible, to develop.

Words From a Volunteer

UK Physiotherapist Helen Baverstock volunteered her time and expertise in Buzovgrad in April. The following is an excerpt from an email she wrote regarding her experience:

“Today, we laid Vanessa (not pictured) on her tummy and she brought her head forward completely on her own, then after a fair bit of preparation, she managed to tolerate (with equanimity) being supported to lie face up and looked forward at people, tucking in her chin, rather than extending her neck and arching her back. This does not sound like a huge achievement, but it is actually completely new for her, and I felt very privileged that we had been able to help…”

Helen, it is we who feel privileged for your help and support, and we look forward to your next (3rd) visit!

How YOU Can Help

For more information about how you can further assist The Cedar Foundation, or to make financial contributions via PayPal, ePay, or bank transfer, check our website at www.cedarfoundation.org, or contact Lincoln at cedarfoundationbg@gmail.com. Also, for those of you in Bulgaria, be sure to check out our Cedar Foundation iCard Mastercard and make a donation with every purchase! (https://www.icard.bg/more/?sc=Cedar)

Thanks for your continued support!

-The Cedar Team-

March ’10 Newsletter

March was marked by continued renovation works and construction in Kyustendil, as well as outpourings of support. Some of the highlights are included below.

St. Patrick’s Day Ball

Held at the Sheraton Hotel in Sofia, this event was organized by a philanthropic and fun-loving group of Irish ex-patriots living in Sofia. The event hosted more than 200 guests and included dancing, live music, a live auction, and a raffle. All proceeds from the event were donated to The Cedar Foundation and we would like to thank all of you who attended and helped to make it a memorable evening.

New Castle Volunteers

Three groups of highly motivated volunteers from Newcastle have been working tirelessly to raise money to fund their volunteer experience with The Cedar Foundation. Two groups of these young ladies from Sacred Heart High School have been holding quiz nights, cake sales, bike rides, raffles, concerts and other events to fund their time with Cedar this coming summer. We very much look forward to hosting these eager volunteers and we know their enthusiasm and energy will provide a wonderful experience for the orphans they will be working with. Thanks ladies!

(For information about how you can volunteer please see our website at: http://www.cedarfoundation.org/en/Donations/Volunteer-Requirements.html)

Petko

We introduced you to Petko in the January, 2010 newsletter. Petko is a 10-year-old orphan living in the Bulgarian town of Stara Zagora. He was born with an underdeveloped lower jaw and Cedar has paid for surgery in order to correct this deformity. However, Petko requires additional surgeries for the next two years. As Petko grows, his jaw requires controlled growth to prevent worsening of his condition. These surgeries are estimated to cost 4,400.00 Bulgarian leva (approx. 2000.00 GBP). If any of you would like to help to pay for Petko’s procedures, please submit donations via bank transfer, ePay, or PayPal and write “Petko” in the memo. We will continue to keep you updated on his progress.

How to Help

For more information about how you can further assist The Cedar Foundation, or to make financial contributions via PayPal, ePay, or bank transfer, check our website at www.cedarfoundation.org, or contact Lincoln at cedarfoundationbg@gmail.com. Also, for those of you in Bulgaria, be sure to check out our Cedar Foundation iCard Mastercard and make a donation with every purchase! (https://www.icard.bg/more/?sc=Cedar)

Thanks for your continued support!

-The Cedar Team-

February ’10 Newsletter

Kyustendil Services

The Cedar Foundation has officially been awarded the management contract for the new services (currently under construction / renovation) in Kyustendil. This is an important development as it gives Cedar the power to make budgeting and hiring decisions, create and implement the policies of the new services, and manage the development of these services for the next three years. Additionally, we will be able to design the activities for the 24 residents from Gorna Koznitsa who will be living in these new facilities. Furthermore, we will be able to guarantee that proper systems and structures are in place before we hand these services over to the municipality, thus ensuring the sustainability of this project and these services.

Renovations Underway

We began the renovation work of the apartments in the municipality of Kyustendil, but there is plenty of more work that needs to be done. Cedar staff and gracious volunteers spent their time and personal resources to get the first phase of the renovations underway. The sooner we can get these apartments finished, the sooner we can relocate some of Gorna Koznitsa’s residents to these locations. We have more groups of volunteers eager to help and we have found some suppliers who have committed to providing some of the needed materials. However, we still have needs for more of both so if you think that you may be able to help please let us know.

Training Seminar

Cedar staff member and US Peace Corps Volunteer Anne Balser-Andrews helped organize a special needs training workshop in the Bulgarian town of Pravets called “New Futures in Social Care”. Attending the workshop were Bulgarian specialists who work with youth with disabilities. Anne was one of the leading speakers as she conducted and led seminars in modern practices. Workshops like these are an important means of increasing Bulgaria’s capacity to care for Bulgaria’s disabled.

How to Help

For more information about how you can further assist The Cedar Foundation, or to make financial contributions via PayPal, ePay, or bank transfer, check our website at www.cedarfoundation.org, or contact Lincoln at cedarfoundationbg@gmail.com. Also, for those of you in Bulgaria, be sure to check out our Cedar Foundation iCard Mastercard and make a donation with every purchase! (https://www.icard.bg/more/?sc=Cedar)

Thanks for your continued support!

-The Cedar Team-

January ’10 Newsletter

2009 was a busy and successful period for The Cedar Foundation, and if January is any indication of what 2010 will hold, we can be sure that another engaging and fruitful year lies ahead.

Group Homes Update

The construction of the new, small group homes that will be used to re-house many of the 48 residents still living in Gorna Koznitza (GK) is still underway.

Despite some construction delays we are confident that these homes will be opening in the spring. Additionally, the municipality of Kyustendil has donated two apartments that will be used to re-house additional residents from GK. Using donated goods and finances, we have already begun renovating these apartments and with the help of numerous volunteers, we will finish this project in the coming weeks.

Training and Hiring New Staff

In order to properly open the new small group homes and apartments, hiring and training additional staff is of the utmost importance. Currently, there are not enough staff on hand to give appropriate care to the residents. Through generous donations from our supporters, we are able to carry-out much of the necessary training and hiring work. Additionally, we view properly training staff as one of the best investments we can make. A properly trained staff, along with the right staff-to-resident ratio, allows children and young people living in alternative services a chance at improving and becoming more independent.

Additionally, by spending our resources on training, we are building Bulgaria’s capacity to sustainably care for the disabled.

Petko

Petko is a 10-year-old orphan living in the Bulgarian town of Stara Zagora. He was born with an underdeveloped lower jaw and he has been unable to speak. Recently, The Cedar Foundation was contacted with a request for help from his orphanage to provide Petko with surgery to correct his lower jaw in hopes of granting him the ability to speak and decreasing the deformity. The Cedar Foundation, with support from our donors, has paid for two surgeries for Petko and there have already been marked improvements since his first surgery in early January. We will be sure to update you on his condition in the coming months.

How to Help

For more information about how you can further assist The Cedar Foundation, or to make financial contributions via PayPal, ePay, or bank transfer, check our website at www.cedarfoundation.org, or contact Lincoln at cedarfoundationbg@gmail.com. Also, for those of you in Bulgaria, be sure to check out our Cedar Foundation iCard Mastercard and make a donation with every purchase! (https://www.icard.bg/more/?sc=Cedar)

Thanks for your continued support!

-The Cedar Team-

Christmas ’09 Newsletter

Capacity Building

The Cedar Foundation is committed to building capacity within Bulgarian communities to provide care for disabled and disadvantaged children such as those living in the institution at Gorna Koznitsa.

Following the transfer of ten GK residents to new small group homes in September, the Foundation has now signed Partnership Memoranda with the two municipalities (Ardino and Marchevo) which will enable Cedar to continue to provide support for the those residents during their transition and help to shape and grow the alternative social services provided in these towns.

Seeing how they do it in the UK

In late November Cedar Team member Zhenya, and a teacher from the Home in Gorna Koznitsa had the chance to visit Greenfields Specialized School in South Shields, UK. They also visited many alternative services in the South Shields and Newcastle areas.

The Cedar Team would like to thank the principal of the School, Miss Margaret Conway and special education teacher, Mary Crane (who has been heavily involved in the GK project) for their hospitality and the invaluable opportunity they gave us to see their work with students with learning and physical disabilities.

New Initiatives in Kazanlak

Ella and Anne in the Kazanlak office are working on the introduction of a new communication system for learning disabled children at Maria Luisa Hospital in Buzovgrad and in the Daycare Centre in Kazanlak.  This system, which enables the children to communicate with the use of picture cards.  In both facilities there are several children who have limited or no verbal communication abilities as a result of their various disabilities.  These children range in age from 2-17 years old and also have diverse current verbal communication abilities. This project will help increase expressive communication, understanding of spoken language and hopefully help decrease challenging behaviours which are exhibited as a result of frustration because of an inability to communicate effectively with several children in both facilities.  With this project these children will be given the opportunity to have their voices heard.  They will be able to learn how to effectively communicate their wants and needs and will be able to participate more actively in their daily activities by making choices, commenting and expressing themselves more clearly.

Ella and Anne are also working with the staff at Maria Luisa Hospital to implement the individual therapy plans for the children with physical disabilities, including the recommendations made by the physiotherapist, Helen Baverstock during her work in the institution in October.