The idea for the day center for elder people was brought up during a discussion of the integration of the elder resident of Mikrevo and Strumyani in the social and cultural life and the organization of their free time and by providing facilities and establishing clubs. The community center employees and boards assumed the initiative, encouraged by the mayor of Mikrevo and the municipal management. The project provides an option for solving the problems of a certain community within the municipality of Strumyani: elder people in social, cultural and public isolation. The project was implemented under FLGR s Social Environment Improvement Program, with the financial support of Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

The main target group is comprised of lonely elder retired residents of Mikrevo and Strumyani. These people get self-isolated, closed in the narrow circle of their problems, which deprives them of social involvement and integration. Another group includes working elder residents who have trouble in communicating and getting involved in community life. A third group is comprised of retired people who have preserved their vitality and pro-active approach to social life; this group includes some 16 individuals. They were trained on social and health activity issues and acted as volunteers in improving the awareness of the other elder residents. They were provided opportunities for social and cultural events. The total number of the elder people in the three groups was 60.

The project s main goal was to overcome the isolation of the elder residents of Mikrevo and Strumyani by creating conditions for their integration in the social and cultural life in the municipality.

The renovation of the premises in the Bratya Miladinovi Community Center, Mikrevo and the Buditel Community Center, Strumyani began in April, 2004. The representatives of the two community centers organized campaigns in the two villages to recruits volunteers for the renovation works. Many residents volunteered, including members of community center boards, distinguished public employees and residents of the two villages. Some of them were assigned the cleaning, the landscaping and the construction of alpineums around community center buildings. For this purpose the Strumyani municipal administration supplied decorative shrubs and plants.

Upon the completion of the renovation, the premises were equipped with games (chess, cards, etc.), tea and coffee makers, tables and chairs, TV sets, etc.

A new folk group was formed at the Bratya Miladinovi Community Center in March, 2004. The group, Maleshevtsi, performs authentic folk songs. Other groups were formed to study, preserve and present local traditions and customs. Similar groups were also formed at the Buditel Community Center in Strumyani. The groups from both community centers performed at Balkan Folk 2004, which was held in Veliko Turnovo on June 7, 2004. There, the groups were awarded the Laureate title and the honorable sign of the festival. Their participation in this event was made possible thanks to the mayor of the municipality of Strumyani and the Strumyani municipal administration, who sponsored the trip.

A group for old town songs, Edelweiss, was also formed with the community center. The groups are now preparing for the Pirin Sings 2004 festival in August.

The implementation of the day center project provided the elder residents of Mikrevo and Strumyani an opportunity to overcome their isolation and to successfully integrate in the social and cultural life in the municipality.

The two community centers have modern facilities needed to provide activities for the free time of the elder citizens.

More opportunities are available to the newly formed groups for folk and old town songs, as proven by their performances at Balkan Folk 2004 and at local celebrations and holidays.

The elder residents develop a sense of importance.

The community centers, the Mikrevo Mayoralty and the Strumyani municipal administration consolidated their efforts to establish a balance between elder people s interests and needs.

The elder people solicit the attention of other elder residents who become members of the clubs, thus making their lives more interesting.

For additional information, please contact :

Svetla Petseva

Bratya Miladinovi Community Center

2826 Mikrevo

Tel.: (07434) 3058

Vanya Petsanova

Chief Secretary

Municipality of Strumyani

1, April 7^th Sq.

2825 Strumyani

Tel.: (07434) 3106, (088) 699 9949

Fax: (07434) 3105

Email: [email protected]