To mark World Refugee Day, soprano Maria Guleghina traveled to Bulgaria to raise awareness about the situation of children affected by the war in Ukraine and children with disabilities in care facilities.
“Maria’s voice is a comfort to the many families who miss their homeland. It’s our collective responsibility to reach all children displaced by conflict and ensure their access to education, protection, and other critical services,” said UNICEF Bulgaria Representative Christina de Bruin.
The war in Ukraine has forced over 2 million children to flee the country. In the first 100 days, about 325,000 Ukrainians entered Bulgaria, including 40,000 children.
Guleghina, born in Ukraine, visited a UNICEF-UNHCR Blue Dot, a safe space along border crossings providing critical information, psycho-social, and legal support. In Bulgaria, these centers operate with local organizations.
“I know what it means for your country to be at war. We should do something for peace because our children need our help,” said Guleghina.
Guleghina, who faced mobility issues as a child, also visited a center for children with disabilities. Across Europe, at least 350,000 children live in institutional care, some with disabilities. In Bulgaria, around 10,000 children with special needs are out of school. UNICEF’s partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Regional Center for Support of the Process of Inclusive Education in Sofia has established an online learning platform and a tool for non-verbal children.
“My mom never gave up on me despite my mobility difficulties. With her support, I walked, danced, did gymnastics, and became an opera singer. My message to parents is to never give up,” said Guleghina.
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