News

 " The only sovereign master in time and space is human thought. Only genius of man, his mind, labor and pure thought can change the time and space to make them more obedient for people. But this can happen only if school exists. "

Center Amalipe organizes official visitations in some of the schools under the program “Prevention of Roma children drop out of school”. These are:

“St.Kliment Ohridski” Primary school, town of Pavlikeni

His Excellency Jonathan Allan, Ambassador of the United Kingdom, invited by CIDT “Amalipe”, laid the opening of the new school year in “St. Kliment Ohridski” Primary school, the town of Pavlikeni. The opening ceremony was visited also by Eng. Emanuil Manolov, Mayor of Pavlikeni; Eng. Rozalia Licheva, Head of REC-Veliko Tarnovo; members of the local parliament,etc. Center Amalipe was presented by Mr Deyan Kolev, Silvia Boyanova, Desislava Stefanova, Nikolay Nikolov- expert in ethnic issues, Zlatko Zlatkov, Stefan Stefanov, moderator for Pavlikeni town and assistant moderators of Community Development Centers in Byala Cherkva, Batak,Varbovka, Stambolovo.

“I wish you to be healthy and successful, lucky and proud of your achievements! It’s very important for you to know that all the knowledge is in your minds and it cannot be taken from you when you are at school. If you work hard, maybe one day you will be ambassadors too!” said His Excellency in his speech to the students. Mr. Deyan Kolev from Center Amalipe announced that this year the school will be basic in the program “Prevention of Roma children drop out of school”. Center Amalipe gave presents to all children in first grade.

After the ceremony, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom visited the Center for community development, where he met representatives of the local Roma community and shared information about the community problems and the activities of the center. His Excellency received presents from Amalipe at the end of the meeting.

 “Vasil Levski”Primary school, village of Vidrare, Sofia region

The new school year at “Vasil Levski”Primary school, village of Vidrare, Sofia region starts at 10 a.m. sharp with the school flag welcoming. “A beginning of a fairy tale”- said Maya Pencheva, principal of the school, to describe the new school year. First lines of the fairytale were written by Deputy Minister Milena Damyanova. Some of the other guests, who took part in the Vidrari fairytale, were Hristo Andreev-Head of REC Sofia; Petar Atanasov- expert in the Council of ministers; Vasil Simeonov- Deputy Mayor of Pravets Municipality, prof. Maria Baeva- Sofia university, representatives of foundations and organizations, working with the school under different projects.

Yonka Danova from Center Amalipe read a congratulatory message. The ceremony continued with romantic dance of the students and popular children songs. All of the students and guests were welcomed with bread and honey as is the old Bulgarian tradition.

 “Vasil Levski” Primary school, village of Karadjovo, Plovdiv Region

What is the coincidence of two events (the new school year opening and the Christian holiday- Truth, Hope, Love and Wisdom) on one and the same day? Is it a chance or a lucky sign?  Those questions were asked by students, parents and teachers. The first school day would be unforgettable for students for many reasons. One of them is the visitation of a lot of guests: His Excellency Brayan Donald- interim U.S. Ambassador; Mr.Grudev-Deputy Governor of Plovdiv; Eng. Ivanka Kirkova, Head of REC –Plovdiv; Mr. Georgi Genov- senior expert Physical education and sport; Mr. Dimitar Zdravkov-Mayor of Sadovo; Mr. Georgi Bukov-chairman of  town council-Sadovo; Mr. Dimitar Dimitrov-Mayor of Karadjovo; Mr. Hristo Markov- Mayor of Mominsko; Mrs. Pavlina Koleva-southbulgarian regional coordinator of Center Amalipe; a lot of parents. Mrs. Krasimira Blagoeva, principal of the school, welcomed all students and wished them health and success. Mrs. Blagoeva announced the opening of the new playfield with football and basketball playgrounds. The new playfield is a gift from Mr.Tsvetan Tsvetanov,Vice minister of Bulgaria.

171 “Stoil Popov” Primary school, city of Sofia, region of Novi Iskar

The opening ceremony in 171 “Stoil Popov” Primary school, city of Sofia began with the delivery of the school flag under the hymn of the Republic of Bulgaria. Students from the host school welcomed the official guests His Excellency Philip Othie, Ambassador of France; Mrs. Veronik Nort-Minka-attache in institutional and technical cooperation at French Institute in Bulgaria; Mr.Andrey Kovachev, member of EP; Mrs. Daniela Raycheva- Mayor of “Novi Iskar” region, Sofia city; Mr. Atanas Kuzmanov, regional coordinator of Center Amalipe, made a congratulatory message and shared his happiness that the school would continue to work under the Program. All of the official guests were given presents-a picture and a postcard, made by children, involved in the Program.

106,, Gregory Tsamblak” Primary school, city of Sofia

The school is located at the near end of “Hristo Botev” quarter in Sofia city. In the rainy September morning the school yard was full of good-looking and happy first grade students. A mother of a first grade student said: “I want my child to learn, to graduate, to be an example, like you are!” Official guests on the ceremonial opening of the new school year were Boni Bonev- a representative of the Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce; Detelina Kotevska - Head of Department “Activities and measures” at the ASA; Daniela Nikolova NCCEII representative; Sarah Perin-program director “Social programs” in “America for Bulgaria” foundation;   representatives of Center “Amalipe”, Momchil Baev and Hristina Velcheva from the program for Roma students in Medicine. Hristina has worked with students in the schools for two years. She tries to raise students’ motivation in continuing their education. Mrs. Irena Mileva – Cukeva, principal of the school, said that she will not give up, because she believes in the students and in their success.

“Hristo Smirnenski” Elementary school, town of Byala Slatina

“Welcome and Good luck! Summer joy is over, but more excitement is to come for you, dear children, parents and teachers”! - With these words Evgeni Angelov, principal of the school, started the opening ceremony. Official guests at the opening of the new school year were Mrs. Boryana Petkova, Director of “Humanitarian activities” in Byala Slatina Municipality and Tanya Vanova, representative of educational program of Center Amalipe, Veliko Tarnovo. The school is for the third year in the Program “Prevention the Roma children drop out of school” and it proved itself to be one of the best basic schools under the program.

“Hristo Smirnenski” High school, town of Koynare, Pleven region

The school bell rang in Koynare, too. The school yard was full of many impatient students in a hurry to meet again their friends and teachers. The official ceremony has started at 9 a.m. with raising the national flag. Official guests of the ceremony were Mr. Georgi Georgiev- chairman of the town council in Cherven Bryag; Mr. Danail Tonovski - Mayor of the town of Koynare and Plamena Stefkova- Amalipe’s regional coordinator for Northwest Bulgaria. All of the guests read their congratulatory messages in front of parents and students. Mrs. Daniela Tsonyovska wished to have a healthy and smooth year. After the ceremony all students in a very excited mood came into the building to begin their first school day.

“Father Paisius”Primary school, village of Ravna gora, Burgas region

The opening ceremony for the new school year in “Father Paisius”Primary school started at 9.30 a.m. Students had prepared a special program, which was performed in front of the guests with pathos and excitement. Official guests of the ceremony were the mayor of Ravna gora village; representatives of Sozopol Municipality and Paskal Paskalev- regional coordinator of Center Amalipe, Veliko Tarnovo. Guests presented their greetings to students, teachers and parents.

“L.Karavelov” Primary school, village of Kardam, Targovishte region

The first day at school at “L.Karavelov” Primary school was very different from other schools in the country. There was no flower wreath over the entrance, no raising flag and no school bell. There was a hymn, although played on the tablet of a teacher on the stairs in the school hall. There wasn’t any book or a bunch of geraniums for first grade students. And they were so good-looking in their new clothes, carrying flowers and filled with hope. “I would like to study here”- said the little Bojidar. But hope is not for institutions and it does not make money. No one cares for the parents, willing to educate their children. I’ve read somewhere in the press “The new school year started ceremonially in all schools across the country”. Well, there was a school, the one in the village of Kardam, where the new school year was not a happy event. Ministerial order to close the school has come on 24^th of July. And parents have decided to seek legal, because they had the right to choose the school for their children. They have run an appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court, which ceased the closing of the school. That is the Law. But it also derailed institutions, which decided to turn the new school year opening into a failure.

This was the saddest day of my life, not for the pouring rain, but for the storm in our souls.

“Neofit Rilski”High school, town of Khneja, Pleven region

The first school bell for the new school year rang at 9 o’ clock on the 17^th of September, 2012 at “Neofit Rilski” High school in Khneja.

The most impatient were the 30 first grade students who confidently entered the classrooms, together with their teachers and older schoolmates. Congratulatory for the start of the new school year were received from Mr Sergey Ignatov, Minister of Education, on behalf of Municipality of Khneja regards were made by Mr Petrov, regards were received from the many friends and partners of “Neofit Rilski” High School, town of Khneja. On behalf of Center “Amalipe” Mr Dimitar Petrushev send a wish to the students and the school team for good health during the school year, knowledge for life and friendship.  All of the participants got united for the idea “We study not for school, but for life”.

Centers for Community Development sent their congratulates for the start of the school year.

The first grade students from “Vasil Levski” Primary School, the village of Ledenik, “Hristo Smirnenski” Primary School, village of Vodoley, Veliko Tarnovo Municipality and “Paisii Hilendarski” Primary School, Kaltinets quarter, Gorna Oryahovitsa Municipality were welcomed by the moderators of the Local Clubs, parts of the Center for Community Development, Veliko Tarnovo. All of the first graders received notebooks which were donated by Amalipe Center.  The moderators of the Center in Byala Slatina sent their congratulates to children, teachers and parents for the start of the new school year at “Hristo Botev” Primary School, village of Tarnava, Byala Slatina Municipality. The moderators at Kameno Municipality sent their congratulates at the primary school located in the village of Krastina, which introduced in their program the Elective Training Class- studying the Roma folklore. Moderators from the Center in Etropole sent their congratulates in two schools – the “Hristo Botev” Primary School, village of Lopyan and in the village of Malki Iskar.  “Nikola Vaptsarov” Primary School, town of Novi Pazar welcomed the students and their parents with a renewed and reconstructed school building. Moderators from the Center of Community Development, town of Novi Pazar send the congratulatory on behalf of Amalipe Center and donated school supplies to the youngest children- the first graders. Moderators from the Center of Community Development, town of Peshtera gave their regards for the start of the school year to students, teachers and parents from “Ljuben Karavelov” Primary school, town of Peshtera.

“Neofit Rilski” High school, town of Dolna Banya, Sofia region

The moderators from the Center of Community Development, town of Dolna Banya, Stoyan Stoyanov and Svetla Karagiozova, took part in the ceremonial opening of the school year at “Neofit Rilski” High school. Representatives of Dolna Banya Municipality also attended the ceremony. Mrs Lilyana Draganova, chairman of the town council wished successful year to all students, parents and teachers. The ceremony continued with modern dances, performed by students from “Neofit Rilski” High school. Kind regards and best wishes were made on behalf of Center Amalipe along with the congratulatory message.

“Angel Karaliichev” High school, town of Strazhitsa, Veliko Tarnovo region

The official opening of the new school year in “Angel Karaliichev” High school, town of Strazhitsa, was visited by Eng. Detelina Borisova, Mayor of Strazhitsa Municipality and Ilian Marinov, chairman of the town council. Center Amalipe sent a congratulatory message and presents to the school. The ceremony started with greetings from Dr. Penka Dimitrova and continued with lots of songs, declamations and dances, performed by the students. The first school bell brought a euphoric mood in the students and they happily entered the classrooms.

“St. Kliment Ohridski” Primary school, town of Radnevo, Stara Zagora region

The ceremonial opening of the primary school, town of Radnevo, started with a short program, performed by the students. Congratulatory messages were made by the principal of the school on behalf of REC- Stara Zagora, by Mr. Dimityr Gelev-chairman of the town council, on behalf of the mayor of Stara Zagora Municipality and by Gelka Ovcharova, moderator of Center Amalipe.

The first school day at all schools, participating in the “Prevention of Roma children drop out of school” Program passed in combination of beauty, multicultural wisdom and hope for a successful year.

Book, schoolyard, children, school bell, song, flooded eyes, bunches of flowers, crowds, desks, etc… These words can be combined in a logical sequence by using just one sentence “Good luck”!