Dozens of lives and stories. From difficult moments and small victories to a genuine sense of fulfilment and purpose – this has been the journey of Hope for the Little Ones. Through stories that may seem very different at first, Radoslava Kutsarova shows that one thing remains certain: what matters most is supporting the family. And every effort that helps a family stay together is worthwhile.
Little N. is five years old today. When the team from Hope for the Little Ones sees her now, she calmly says: “Mum moved me to a new kindergarten. A nicer one. I have friends. They accept me there.” Behind these ordinary words lies an extraordinary journey that began in the very first days after she was born.
Her mother was alone. Frightened. With no family or loved ones by her side. The team was there for her during those earliest and most vulnerable moments – as she learned how to bathe her newborn baby, cope with food allergies, respond to her baby’s crying without panicking, and believe that she was capable of being a mother. These are things many parents take for granted because they have someone to support them. She did not.
Over time, her fear gradually gave way to confidence. From a woman who was afraid to leave her baby alone even for a moment, she became her child’s strongest advocate. Today, she still reaches out to Hope for the Little Ones, but no longer out of helplessness. She does so for reassurance that she is moving in the right direction. She has become a mother who knows how to be there for her child.
Little M. is also five years old. Her journey, however, began far more dramatically. As a baby, she was separated from her underage mother. Months of uncertainty, effort and obstacles followed before the family was finally reunited. Today, she lives in a lively, colourful family, in a small but warm and joyful home.
What proved crucial to this outcome was that even when the mother was separated from her baby, the bond between them was never broken. She saw her child every day, held her and remained her mother despite everything. This made it easier for the family to eventually be reunited.
The team at Hope for the Little Ones stood by the young parents through everything – not only during their most difficult moments, but also in their moments of happiness. They even helped organise their wedding, seeing it as a genuine opportunity for a more secure future and a more positive assessment of their parenting capacity.
Today, the family continues its journey together – still facing challenges, but with greater confidence. The team remains part of their lives, invited to birthdays and welcomed as close friends. Not because they did something “extraordinary”, but because they were there when no one else was.
These two stories are different, yet they ultimately tell us the same thing: every family has a past, difficulties and its own unique circumstances. What families need is support, not judgement.
“Not for a moment did we doubt that these children belonged with their parents, no matter how desperate and hopeless the situation sometimes seemed, even to us. What ultimately helped things fall into place was what happened at the very beginning – the family received understanding from us, respect for who they were and acceptance. That is what allows us to become a genuine source of support for them,” says Radoslava Kutsarova.
This is why the approach is different. The work is not driven by deadlines, nor does it seek quick solutions. Instead, it is about building a relationship. Building trust. Sometimes, a single phone call or conversation is enough to help a parent reconnect with their own strength.
“We believe that the child protection system, across all of its structures, as well as services supporting children and their families, should send an unequivocal message to these families: that they are their allies, just as we are. That they stand firmly beside parents when they face difficulties – just as doctors stand beside their patients,” Radoslava adds.
All of this leads to one fundamental belief: the family is what matters. Family helps us grow up healthy, balanced and fulfilled. It is also what gives meaning to working as part of a wider community such as the National Network for Children.
And every effort that helps a family stay together is worth it.
Hope for the Little Ones Foundation is a member of the National Network for Children (NNC) – Bulgaria’s largest network of more than 140 civil society organisations and activists working for children’s rights. This year, the Network marks 20 years since its establishment.
Every year, more than 20,000 children and 150,000 families receive support from NNC and its member organisations.
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