Pencho graduated with a degree in “Social Work” many years ago, but for a long time he didn’t work in his field. Life took him in various directions, including 13 years in England, where, as he tells us, it’s very difficult to establish yourself and find work in your profession. After returning to Bulgaria, a job posting set him on a new path. Today, he is a social worker at Cedar Foundation and cares for children deprived of parental care.
How did you end up becoming a social worker, and what were your expectations?
I returned to Bulgaria because I was homesick. I was constantly looking at job listings, but to be honest, I had no idea what to look for. I happened to see a job posting for a social worker and decided to apply. I told myself I had the necessary education for the position, and even though I had no experience, I decided to give it a try.
At first, there was a lot of uncertainty, and I also had a slightly different idea of what things would be like. I expected to feel so much pity for the children that I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I wasn’t sure if I could cope mentally. It turned out, however, that it wasn’t so bad – what I was most worried about turned out to be my smallest problem.
How do you manage to bond with the children and find common ground with them?
It was hard for me at first – I don’t have children and didn’t know how to approach them or how to befriend them. Over time, I started to feel more confident.
I realised that the most important thing is right at the very beginning – when the children come to us, we need to reassure them. They find themselves in a completely new environment – a new house, new people, new rules – so it’s normal for them to be scared. The last children we took in were like little mice – they sat quietly and didn’t make a sound, but now they’re the kings of the house.
My approach to each child is different. I observe their personality, get to know them, see what they like, and look for a way to connect with them. Sometimes this happens through different experiences – for example, with two of the children, the youngest ones, we bonded when I took them to the cinema. For both of them, it was the first time they’d watched a movie on the big screen. Shortly after that, one of them celebrated his birthday for the first time, turning 8. There was a cake, presents, we decorated the house, blew up balloons… He certainly hadn’t seen anything like it before.
I’m trying to teach them that, in addition to rights, they also have responsibilities. That it’s important for them to have a sense of responsibility. I never stop talking to them and reminding them even of the smallest things – not to walk into the house with their shoes on when we’ve just cleaned, to put their things away, not to renege on commitments, and generally to maintain some kind of order.
There are times when it’s really hard. But it’s always worth it. I remember a situation with a little girl from the other house. I was waiting for the driver to give me the car keys – I had some errands to run in town – and she was coming home from the day centre. She came up to me and just grabbed my hand, without saying a word, she just stood there and looked me in the eyes. I was in a hurry and had to leave, but my heart wouldn’t let me let go of her or step away. That gesture of hers has stayed with me.
Funny situations happen all the time. Some of the kids are like Tom and Jerry – we leave them for less than two minutes, and something happens right away. And there’s always someone who’ll ask me, “Hey, why don’t you have any hair?” 🙂
Of course! I’m not that easy to give up on.
