In May 2025, PULSE Foundation – Kardzhali Branch organized an exciting series of meetings with young mothers in several settlements in the Kardzhali region – Kardzhali, the village of Pelin (Krumovgrad Municipality), Dzhebel and Ardino. Guest speaker at the events was Anelia Stoycheva - founder of the school for pregnant women "Mission Mom", who shared valuable knowledge and practical advice related to pregnancy and the first care for the newborn.

Over 30 young and expectant mothers took part in the talks. Topics included milestones of pregnancy, early care for the newborn, what to do in emergency situations at home, as well as encouraging the participation of the whole family in childcare. The organization of the events was tailored to the needs of the participants – if necessary, translation was provided, and the information was presented in an accessible and understandable way.

"Our goal was to provide valuable knowledge and skills to young mothers to help them in caring for their children and future pregnancies," said the lecturer, Anelia Stoycheva.

Many of the participants expressed satisfaction and interest in future similar initiatives. "It was very useful and interesting. I learned new things about pregnancy and how to take care of my baby," said one of the participants.

The meetings were held with serious interest. In some settlements, the invitation was met with some caution, but in the course of the meetings the trust grew, and the participants did not want to leave. More and more often the positive change in family dynamics is shared - men are more and more actively involved in raising children, and this has a beneficial effect on the entire family environment.

An example of this were two men who took part in the meetings – the mayor of the village of Pelin and a young father from Dzhebel. Their presence gave an even clearer message that caring for children is a shared responsibility.

These events marked the beginning of a sustainable model for supporting parents in the region, encouraged dialogue and exchange of experiences, and showed that with the right information, accessible communication and respect, we can empower young families and contribute to positive change.

The events were implemented within the framework of the project "UNIVERSE: United Network for Inclusive Values, Equality, Rights and Social Empowerment", funded by the European Union Programme for Minorities, Accountability, Rights, Independence, Organizational Development (MARIO).