The more things change, the more they stay the same.
House of Opportunity, under one name or another, has been working in Bulgaria for nearly 30 years, and much has changed in Southeast Europe since then. Economic boom and bust, EU accession, periods of political stability (some might say stagnation) and recently, years of constant elections and failing governments, and the Euro.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the early post-communist years marked an opening up of a society that, whilst not as cut-off from the world as say, Albania, was still something of a mystery to most Western Europeans. It appeared like all those countries where until 1990, people had to queue for basics that were plentiful and cheap in French, German or British shops; where free travel within the country and without was restricted; where the religious were suspect; where personal success was contingent on your loyalty to “the party”; and where you were valued on your ability to contribute to the party’s goals.
It was this last point that highlighted a stark contrast in values between democratic Europe and its failed communist states. The way children without parents, or children and adults who suffered with even mild and manageable disabilities, were revealed to be treated appalled western observers.
Neglect and abuse were the hallmarks of a system that considered the weak and marginalised as having little or no value at all. Hidden from sight in filthy and inhumane conditions, used by corrupt officials and facility managers as they bartered with each other to keep the budgets of their institutions at maximum, or access to their dormitories sold to local men, the suffering of the most vulnerable children and adults in Bulgaria was immense and an affront to human dignity. Those in positions of power seemed at best indifferent to, or, as often later revealed, complicit in the gross exploitation of thousands of children who needed their protection and help.
Charitable organisations and countless Western European churches poured aid and support eastwards. Many Bulgarians, at least of those that were unaware of what was going on in their own country, were appalled too, and began campaigning for change. The EU pressured seemingly complacent governments to act. Decades have passed, and whilst much has changed for the better, the old attitudes can still be found.
The House of Opportunity in Sofia has just welcomed a young man named Apostol. He was born into a large and very poor family in the poorest area of the country. He was used to begging on the streets with his brothers and sisters. When he was five years old one of his brothers died due to neglect. The authorities acted; removing the children from their parents and placing them into care, splitting the siblngs apart from each other in the process. Apostol bounced between institutions and foster homes until he was 18. But, wherever we went, the patterns of neglect and abuse established in his early life were repeated. The system was barely any better than home, and it failed him time and again. The echoes of the old ways still ring loud.
As he approached 18, Apostol found House of Opportunity online. He was desperate to move out of the region and away from the system he had spent so much of his life in, and that actually appeared to be invested in stopping his progression.
Teodora Koleva, Director of our partner organisation FSCI Bulgaria, told us about the difficulties she faced in supporting Apostol’s desire to escape his situation. “Apostol wanted to leave the small town, the bad words, the rejection, and the attempts by the social and education systems to break his spirit and force him to stay against his will. He was told that if he left and came to us, he would not be able to finish Year 11 and would lose the money he was supposed to receive after completing his school practice. He was also told that nobody would take him in and that he would end up alone on the streets. For more than a month, I discussed his case with different institutions and authorities, and confirmed our impression of insecurity, an inflexible system, and a lack of care and motivation from the institutions to provide proper support for young people at risk and in need of help”.
Apostol’s mind was made up though, and now that he is 18, he is with us. He is safe and settled and very grateful to have found us. We are delighted too! Apostol has already started training with the other young men from House of Opportunity, and soon he will enroll in school to complete his secondary education. We hope to link him into a local sports team. House staff have already identified some employment opportunities for him, and he will soon attend a job interview.
Despite the system, Apostol now has a chance of making something of his life, supported by people that believe in him, and are willing to support him toward success. We don’t consider failure an option.
