How easy is it to set the rules when you are the one responsible for enforcing them?
The Council of Refugee Women in Bulgaria (CRWB) organised a group workshop with unaccompanied boys at the Tsar Simeon residential care centre in Sofia. The session focused on trust, shared rules, and cooperation — essential elements in creating a safe and supportive environment.
The participants began by discussing everyday rules and personal boundaries that help them feel comfortable and protected. They explored familiar situations involving bedtime routines, phone use, and daily organisation.
But what happens when the roles are reversed?
During the exercise “Children Become Staff,” the boys stepped into the roles of residential care staff members. Their task was to organise evening routines, give instructions, and respond to challenging situations.
This change of perspective encouraged them to look at rules and responsibilities differently. The participants had an opportunity to reflect on the importance of explaining decisions clearly and communicating with mutual respect.
In the closing discussion, the boys explored the challenges of decision-making, the value of effective communication, and the importance of understanding different points of view.
The activity highlighted that trust and cooperation are built not only by following rules but also by understanding the reasons behind them.
The workshop was implemented as part of the SAVE – Speak Out Against Violence project, which promotes safe environments, mutual respect, and the development of non-violent communication skills among unaccompanied refugee children.
The project has received funding from the European Union’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme under Grant Agreement No. 101138279, within the framework of Daphne-CHILD with Eurochild and Terre des hommes.
Eurochild plays a leading role in the project. For more information, visit: https://eurochild.org/.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
