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A group of schoolchildren from Balvan and Resen villages were the stars of the USAID/International Organization for Migration anti-trafficking program closing event in Sofia on April 8. The young participants in the NGO program “Open Your Eyes: You Can Get Help!” participated in a lesson about the dangers of trafficking in persons in front of the several hundred gathered guests. The children also introduced the speakers at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Daniel Valtchev, Ambassador Beyrle, and IOM Chief of Mission Ilyana Derilova.

The children’s demonstration of their knowledge about the risks of trafficking highlighted the project’s work with vulnerable groups at the grassroots level. Seventeen grants to local organizations and municipalities supported activities to raise awareness about trafficking and to promote educational and employment opportunities among high-risk groups.

The event coincided with International Roma Day, and Ambassador Beyrle noted in his remarks that Roma women and children are at particular high risk of trafficking. Deputy Prime Minister Valtchev praised the work of IOM and the National Commission to Combat Trafficking in Persons to establish local anti-trafficking commissions. The official program ended with the singing of a special anthem created for IOM in Bulgarian.

Karandila, a well-known Roma orchestra from Sliven played boisterous tunes during the reception, and girls from the Elit Roma Cultural Center in Sofia showed off their dancing skills.