Sofia Airport and For Our Children Foundation teams have joined forces to help Ukrainian families with children who have arrived in Bulgaria. Mission Ukraine Foundation’s initiative is supported by the airport’s employees, as the company has made a monetary donation, placed donation boxes at the airport’s two terminals, and is committed to doubling the support received through the boxes for the benefit of Ukrainian refugees. The Mission Ukraine campaign supports families with babies and young children up to 7 years old, as well as children with disabilities up to 10 years old, fleeing the war in Ukraine and residing in Sofia and Plovdiv. A team of specialists works with parents to orient them to the institutions and advocate with them, to access health and education services for the children; material and humanitarian assistance according to the needs of the family and the children in it; emotional and psychological support.
The airport team is ready to volunteer in the activities of the Early Childhood Development Complexes in Sofia.
Airport Executive Director Jesus Caballero and SOF Connect Supervisory Board Member Philip Gunev visited the Early Childhood Development Complex in the capital today, where they met with the Foundation’s Executive Director Ivanka Shalapatova and the For Our Children team. The guests from the airport met some of the children and families who use the Foundation’s services, psychologists and social workers and toured the welcoming and inclusive environment of the center, which helps not only Ukrainians but also Bulgarian families and children.
“We are honored to work together and help you in your noble cause. Our team is sympathetic to the plight of Ukrainian families. Besides financially, we are ready to be helpful with volunteer work. Social commitment and empathy are our core values” said Jesus Caballero during his visit.
“For our work, this partnership is very important so that we can reach more Ukrainian families. In times of crisis, the unity of business and civil society organizations in Bulgaria, their demonstrated empathy and their quick response play a key role in helping families fleeing the war,” said Ms. Shalapatova on behalf of her team.
On 7 March, For Our Children Foundation launched a campaign to help Ukrainian refugees “Mission Ukraine”. The campaign supports the Ukrainian organization for working with children and families, Партнерство “Кожній дитині” (Partnership for Every Child Ukraine) and a specially established program in Bulgaria for working with Ukrainian families in Sofia and Plovdiv.
