2007 is still a long way off” “” “

Not everyone is anxious to enter the European Union. That’s the case of Bulgaria: “I don’t know if we’ll be ready by 2007 – declares Emanouil Patashev , director of Caritas Bulgaria, in an interview with SirEurope -; with an average minimum monthly income of 55 euros the difference is enormous”. Time is needed to complete all the necessary reforms, especially the fundamental economic reform in a country where 75% of families have regular difficulties with the family budget and 22% of the population live in a state of sheer poverty on less than a dollar a day. “Eu funds are important – explains Patashev – but what counts more is collaboration with the other member states to share experiences”. A history of solidarity. “Caritas Bulgaria was created immediately after the change of regime in 1989 – says Patashev – and between 1994 and 1998 it helped many people to survive”. It developed its own network through the country and acquired the status of an Ngo. “We even succeeded in sending aid, albeit in modest quantities, to Serbia, to Turkey after the earthquakes and to Macedonia during the crisis in Kosovo”, he recalls. Today there are three diocesan Caritas and 19 parish agencies, plus 6 day centres in Bulgaria. Caritas Bulgaria as a whole has a staff of 98 and 250 volunteers. It is operating 14 projects. Children. “I wish to recall the work performed in the Caritas centres outside the schools of Kuklen and Malcika in 2002 – continues Patashev -. Each day they were attended by 120 children to help them in their homework, develop their creativity, and learn to use the computer. We have also devised for them a course in iconography; it’s now in its second year and is having great success”. Last year Caritas motivated 230 gipsy children in the village of Bania to regularly attend school with the promise of a hot meal. For 20 of them who decided to continue their studies, Caritas Bulgaria has procured monthly study grants. Other projects. “We are working with disabled children and adolescents in three day centres at Russe, Yambol and Sofia – adds Patashev – but it is the increase of drug addiction that worries us most”. The average age of young drug addicts has dropped from 24.7 to 22.5 years. “Our programme is being implemented in the field with mobile units in 7 districts of the capital”. The commitment of Caritas is also extended to the unemployed, single mothers, abandoned elderly people, the sick and refugees, among whom Iraquis, Afghans and Iranians predominate, 2888 in 2002″. Our “Programme for the social adaptation of refugees” supports the most vulnerable: the old, the sick, large families, orphans. “Over the last year we have helped 2127 asylum seekers and refugees with recognized status”. The future. “It’s important to help our people in this delicate transitional period in our history. That’s why we hope for closer collaboration with the Orthodox Church, with the government and with the other European Caritas agencies” concludes Patashev. The entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the EU is scheduled for 2007. “What influence will it have on the poor?”, people wonder.