Satanic happenings at the social services complex

On Friday, 30th October, the staff at the complex donned ghoulish costumes and entertained our young clients in a Halloween celebration.

The event was compered by Terrible AnTionetta (Toni – our art therapist) a cheerful witch. She greeted the special guests from Romania, Count Dracula (David) and his delectable but utterly demonic companion, Evil Eleonora (Eli) who were on a special mission. They needed to select a number of nasty creatures for the count’s exotic collection from among the children plating trick-or-treat. The poor kids were getting more than they bargained for – winners would be whisked off to join the undead at the count’s castle.

The chosen few received certificates signed (in blood) by the count himself on behalf of Equilibrium. The count explained that he and Evil Eleanora were a bit like social workers. They knew what to do with naughty children even if their methods were a little unorthodox – roasting or stewing.

The games were suitably yucky and messy and they led up to Halloween goodies for eating – pumpkin pastries and cakes in the shape of Halloween lanterns.

Adults and children (including our youngsters from the Pink House) had a dreadful time – but that was the whole point.

Many thanks to all those who risked their lives to attend.

Visit by Nadya Shabani, chairperson of the State Agency for Child Protection

On Tuesday 13th October, the new head of the State Agency of Child Protection attended the official opening of a new facility for disabled children and, afterwards, took the opportunity to visit both the Pink House and the main social services complex. Nadya Shabani is an old acquaintance of some of the Equilibrium team who were involved in various collaborative ventures with the Bulgarian Centre for Non-Profit Law where she used to apply her legal expertise in supporting the development of Bulgarian civil society.

Visit by Stuart Peters, British Embassy

On 5th October, we hosted an informal visit to the social services complex by a team from the British embassy in Sofia headed by Stuart Peters, head of the Embassy's Strategic Policy Team. The following day, Stuart and his colleagues visited the small group home in the company of representatives of the municipal authority.

Happy birthday to the social services complex!

The complex was officially opened on 3rd October, 2005. We celebrated its 4th birthday a day early combining the event with the birthday celebrations of two VIPS – one of our boys from the small group home (age 13) and Venci, an EQ board member (age undisclosed).

The younger birthday boy was joined by his colleagues from the Pink House, young clients of the complex and assorted offspring of our personnel in fun, games and races organized by the events team - Toni, Tedi and Nessrin – in the lead-up to the dramatic entry of the birthday cake replete with candles.

So – lots of dirty knees and stained T-shirts. Sorry, mums!

Team members had spent the day wearing party hats and distributing hats, whistles and balloons to all-comers at reception. A staff meeting scheduled for 10.00 eventually got going at 10.25 once David, Desi and Eli – the speakers – finished squabbling over who got to wear the purple wig.

There’s nothing wrong with being childish once in a while!