Boyanka’s life has gone off-course. Can it be corrected?
Boyanka* is a rebel. She has good reason though. Although she never appeared on social service’s radar during early childhood, Boyanka’s home-life was chaotic and damaging. Her family, including a grandmother, lived in Sofia, but when Boyanka’s mother, who suffered with schizophrenia, developed alcoholism, her father left. Boyanka’s mother took her to a small village close to the city where she lived until she was 11 years old.
But it was no life for a child. Boyanka suffered beatings and neglect as her mother suffered one crisis after another. Eventually, she was sent back to Sofia to live with her sister and grandmother, and occasional stays with her dad.
Boyanka developed a drug habit. She stole from her sister and ran away regularly. She was sent off to live with her dad permanently but her behaviour worsened and he kicked her out at age 15. Social services caught up with her and she was referred to a special crisis centre for victims of domestic violence.
After a couple of years and a little positive progress Boyanka’s father took her in again. But the old family dynamics came into play. Boyanka’s relationships seem to work at a distance, but when she moves back in with her dad or sister the old patterns re-establish themselves. Boyanka could not maintain any balance, and soon she was out again.
Now nearly 18 years old, Boyanka had no place to call home. She slept rough in an underpass. Finally, in desperation she reached out to the crisis centre that she spent time in previously. They put her in touch A2B partner organisation FSCI Bulgaria, which runs Houses of Opportunity in Sofia, and she joined the programme there a few weeks ago.
Boyanka has a lot of work ahead of her if she is to make the most of this opportunity, but she is in the right place, with the right support, and now is the time for her to finally start making some real progress. Can she do it? Of course!
*Name changed.
