- address women's health issues
- help disadvantaged women who are at risk of abandoning their babies, are raising their children alone, or have been victims of violence and trafficking.
The Breast Health Awareness Campaign
The International Women's Club has supported the Breast Health Awareness Campaign since its start in 2002.
The campaign has included awareness activities such as press conferences, the distribution of thousands of updated self-check brochures, a run in Yuzhen Park and fund-raising activities.
We achieved our goal to purchase a mammography unit at a very reasonable price from Siemens, an ultrasound machine and a biopsy attachment. Following a selection process, it was decided to donate the use of these equipments to Shumen Hospital, where prophylactic checks are now being carried out free for those with health insurance, and at a very modest fee for those without it. Sincere thanks go to all our many sponsors over the past 5 years.
Mother and Baby Center- Stara Zagora
Thousands of children without parental care, growing up in state institutions, is a sad reality of Bulgarian society. The reasons which lead mothers to leave their children may be family conflicts and psychological problems of the mother, and increasingly in these years of social and economic transition, unemployment, housing problems, difficult access to qualified care and education, and increase of unwed partners. The effect on the mothers is debilitating and leads to feelings of deprivation, hopelessness and alienation. That is why the mothers need more than just sporadic aid but an environment that supports them, helps them acquire life skills and ensures that they keep their children.
The IWC supports The "Mother and Baby Unit" in Stara Zagora, run by the Samaritans, a local NGO that works together with the UK based organization ARK to support the deinstitutionalization of the child welfare system in the Municipality of Stara Zagora, and provides a range of social services for the Municipality.
The center provides shelter, care, psychological support and vocational training to mothers in difficulty. Through offering the mothers and their new born babies a safe and supportive environment, the center helps the mothers make and keep the bond with their child while they are receiving counseling and other assistance.
The IWC helps the center with clothing, baby food and other necessities, and pays the salary of the social worker who assists the mothers daily. Although the center receives support from the Municipality, it is not sufficient to maintain a quality level of service.
How you can support:
Donations of baby clothes, diapers, strollers..
A financial contribution towards the salary of the social worker, for medical and food expenses.
Rojdestovo Hristovo Social Day Care Center, Sofia
The Center was founded in 1999 by Caritas to provide moral and material support for mothers who raise their children alone. While providing the much needed social services for single mothers and their children is the priority of the Center, it also works to develop an active and efficient handicraft business. The products created in the ceramic and sewing workshops help offset the running cost of the center and its long term sustainability.
The center has to vacate their current premises and the IWC is contributing financially to the renovation of the house where the center will move in.
How you can support:
Donations of clothes, toiletries for the mothers and the children
A financial donation towards the renovation of the house.
Animus Association Foundation
Animus is an NGO that supports women victim of violence and trafficking. The IWC funds the humanitarian needs of the women and their children staying at the crisis unit, which Includes food, clothes and medical expenses.
How you can support:
Donations of clothes, toiletries etc
