Bulgaria remains one of the poorest countries in the EU, with many people living in extreme poverty, especially amongst the Roma communities.
Human trafficking is a growing problem in Bulgaria with thousands of girls being trafficked to other European countries every
year. Girls are forced into prostitution
to feed their families, or believe that it is the best form of income, and many
children still do not receive a proper education. Healthcare is too expensive
for many people, and there are still many orphanages which provide
inadequate care, and where abuse is common place.
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 works with volunteers who
visit local state orphanages, working with the abandoned and
neglected children. These volunteers also hold after school education programmes within Roma Communities.
WOW is also due to open a Liberty House in 2021, a home to support ageing out orphaned girls, preventing them from exploitation and human trafficking.
