Germany and Austria 
May 19-23, 2014,
From 19 to 23 May 2014 four representatives of BFPA – Dr. Radosveta Stamenkova, Executive Director; Ventzislav Kirkov, Program Manager; Daniela Dikova, Family Planning Counseling Centre Manager and Advisory Nurse; and Ralitsa Zgalevska, Project Coordinator, were at study visit in the centers of the German partner on Keep me Safe – Pro Familia. The visit took place in Bavaria and Austria.
Perdita Wingerter from Pro Familia Passau, included in the agenda visiting of long years experienced organizations and meetings with experts actively working with people with disabilities in the area of social practices and services.
A community for people with different level of disabilities and marginalization in Upper Bavaria. Meeting and conversation with the project managers Martina Krone and Ingo Massel – on organization of the work, different activities and opportunities, as well as with Jürgen Hartung, therapeutic paedagogue, about his long-standing work with people with disabilities. People with any kinds of disabilities are included in the labor therapy. Gardening, farming and different handicrafts are developed. Some of the activities are organized as small manufactures and the produced commodities and provisions are sold in the market of the community for people from the region. The community is established in 1894.
Meeting with Heidi Walter, sexual pedagogue and counsellor – detailed information about the activities of the center for consulting young couples and people with disabilities. Presenting the main methods of work.
Shared experience, methods and difficulties faced in the process of work in conversation with Eva Sidram, psychotherapist and counselor, who works for and with people with disabilities for relatively short time.
A program for educating social assistances. Meeting and conversation about the project with Jova Ganeva, psychologist and social worker, Marion Quant and Christina Stoeckel, trainees. Information shared about the main activities of the center: psychosocial consultations, information about the prevention of sexual transmitted infections, mutual work with instances working on addictions and prostitution, outreach work.
Meeting with Annemarie Rufer – president of pro familia Bavaria, and Simone Hartmann – sexual pedagogue and consultant for educational programs and services for people with disabilities. Conversation on the activities, methods of working, difficulties, including overcoming stereotypical attitudes.
Experience connected with the activities of the local branch of the organization and the services for people with disabilities shared. Meeting with Perdita Wingerter – manager and Gaby Magg-Kastenhuber – counsellor, sex pedagogue with longstanding practice.
Home and working place for people with disabilities, some of which requiring permanent care. Meeting and conversation with the Head of the residental home Heinrich Gottinger and social pedagogue and QM-manager Markus Ubelhor about the structure of the organization and methods of work.
Center for services for people with disabilities. Meeting and conversation about the history of founding and methods of work with Anna Wolfesberger, director.
More pictures from the study visit - http://bfpagallery.wordpress.com/events/study-visit-in-germany-and-austria-under-the-keep-me-safe-project/
Pro Familia is a leading organization for relationships, sexuality and family planning in Germany with consulting branches in the whole country. Member of International Planned Parenthood Federation.
KEEP ME SAFE is a two year (2013–2015) European initiative, coordinated by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and co-financed by European Commission (DJ Justice – Program Daphne III). The main project goal is young people with learning disabilities (YPLD) across Europe to be protected from sexual violation and abuse. As a frame for the activities of the projects IPPF uses two documents: Sexual Rights: Declaration of IPPF and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
