Provide Long-Term Mentors to Disadvantaged Youth

Dear friends, 

As you know, as part of the activities of Step for Bulgaria Foundation, we have launched a micro-project that aims to improve the physical, cognitive, socio-emotional and language capabilities of children who experience various developmental challenges due to neurological and genetic conditions. 

You can read more about the project here

We are delighted to share that over the past two weeks we have already supported 3 children to receive lessons with an experienced neuroplasticity practitioner. The children are aged 2, 7 and 8. Two of them have cerebral palsy, one has been diagnosed with autism. Parent feedback has been very positive. 

The 8 year old girl with cerebral palsy demonstrated within five days increased focus, curiosity and physical activity. After her fourth lesson, she began to pay more attention to the world around her, asking questions about everything. Parents look forward to following the changes after the intensive course.

We share with you the story of the mother of a 7-year-old child with autism. Thanks to your financial support, the child was enrolled in 10 classes, over 5 days. Each lesson costs 100 euros. Unfortunately, the family can only afford to cover a fraction of the amount. The child is non-verbal, very physically active, emotional.

What the mother says:

"The guidelines that the teacher gave me were about how to present the information to the child so that it would reach him. He would start to hear me and respond without me prompting him several times. He advised me to comment on most of his movements to know what he is doing at every moment, (50% of his movements are unconscious) thus he will reduce the stereotypical body swaying himself. The first step is to do everything slowly and with attention so that he can the brain to make new connections and learn things he missed. The way he talks, counts and sings to him makes the child listen, finish the word of the song or join in and count together. No reward, no " bravo" or "try again", just a smile and a warm voice that makes Mitko smile too and hug her.

The change in him was felt after the first lesson - after therapy at home, he goes to bed earlier and falls asleep on his own, which is not typical. At the first meeting with his teacher of the Anat Baniel Method, my child was overexcited and everything outside the work table was interesting to him, but at the second - at times he sat on her feet and joined in the exercises, following her every move."

Dear friends, thank you for your support. We believe that the heartfelt stories of parents will make us even more happy.