Friends of Bulgaria supported projects and facilities at the Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integration at Dalbok Dol since it opened in 2005, one of two social centres administered by the non-governmental organisation Society for All managed by Director Rumiana Kraleva.
In the rural village of Dalbok Dol, Municipality of Troyan, District Council of Lovec, the centre is housed in reconditioned institutional buildings and offers both residential and day care. It has accommodation for 18 resident and 12 non-resident physically and socially disadvantaged children and adolescents.
A team of teachers, physiotherapists, art and music therapists, sporting instructors, medical and social officers run programmes promoting group activities and planning for continuing education and employment with parent and guardian participation whenever possible. The Centre has a well equipped workshop for drawing and painting, plaster sculpture work and ceramics.
The Centre also cultivated links with schools and colleges for integrating children and adolescents at the Centre in mainstream education, in particular with the Friends of Bulgaria funded Special Needs unit at the Ivan Hadjiski School, Troyan and with the School for Art and Crafts in Troyan. Through Friends of Bulgaria’s contact with the Centre, funds were made available to cover the costs of regular transport between the Centre and the schools.
In addition, Friends of Bulgaria’s grants have met the following needs at the Centre in response appeals from the director:
- 2009: refurbish windows, installing double glazing.
- 2011: purchase of an electrically operated ceramicists wheel for use from wheelchairs.
- 2013: transport costs: Potters (Special needs) exhibited work at Art Centre, Kraka Street, Sofia – OXAB Children's Club proposal
- 2014: change of management – contact lost
- 2017: contact renewed: Mayor of Troyan, Donka Michailova introduction to Dalbok Dol director, Menekshe Mehmedalieva-Ahmedova
Workshop, Dalbok Dol at their selling stall Art Fair Sofia 2013 (Art Centre, Krakra Street)