Maria's World Foundation Information

Maria's World Foundation aims to improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The organisation was established in February 2012 in Sofia as a public interest foundation by the family of Maria, a young woman with intellectual disabilities. We believe that each person has a valuable contribution to make to the community and deserves a chance to develop their full potential and live with hope for the future. People with disabilities must be free and equal to all others - free to make their own choices and equal in the possibilities available to them to pursue those choices. There are 46 313 people with intellectual difficulties in Bulgaria. Out of these approximately 5 000 young people with mild intellectual difficulties are in the age group 16 to 39 years. Nearly 20 percent of them, or 1 000 people, live in the capital Sofia. People with intellectual difficulties in Bulgaria make up one of the most discriminated and isolated groups in society. They typically spend their days on their own or confined to a small circle of immediate family, deprived of meaningful pursuits, social contact or opportunities to make choices and develop their full potential.