News

The beginning of the New school year is the biggest holiday for thousand of children, parents and teachers, which with impatience and expectation are coming in the classrooms of the School universe. Starting of New school year is also occasion for all who consider education as their cause and wish “Good luck”.

The beginning of the New school year 2010/2011 for Center “Amalipe” and 34 schools means something more:  Start of schools activities under the project “Reduction of Roma children drop out of school”. Because of that, Amalipe team and teachers from three schools - Primary school  St.” Kliment Ohridski” – village of Tishevitza, municipality Vratza,  High school “Ivan Vazov” - city Varshetz, municipality Montana, and High school “Neofit Rilski”- city Dolna Banya, Sofia-region, organized special celebrations of 15 th of September.

With the desire to say "Good Luck!" to the beginning of the program and educational integration efforts of Roma children, the Minister of EU funds Tomislav Donchev, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education (MOMN) Krassimir Valchev, Ambassadors of the United States and France, the heads of RECs, the mayors of the municipalities, many other politicians and experts attended the opening ceremony. Tishevitsa, Varshets and Dolna Banya don't remember guests of such high rank, so their occurrence has become a local holiday. And the fact, that they came because of Roma children, made this day a holiday to the entire Roma community.

From early morning brass music was playing in the yard of Primary School “St. Kliment Ohridski” - Tishevitsa village, municipality of Vratsa. Dressed and smiling, 130 students from the village and four surrounding villages, together with their parents were waiting for the special guests.

With applause and performance of forgotten march "Forward, comrades, brave!" U.S. Ambassador James Warlik, the Secretary of Ministry of Education Krassimir Valtchev, Deputy Chair of the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues Georgi Krastev, mayor of Vratsa Dr. Kostadin Shahov, chief secretary of Vratsa Regional Administration Biser Donchev, manager of Regional Inspectorate of Education - Vratza, Sarah Perrine from Foundation "America for Bulgaria” and many others. Director of the school Dimitar Kostov, in his address to the children said that recent years the school has changed radically. From declined, tumble school with little and often absent students, it has become a central modern school with excellent and well maintained base, motivated teachers and students who are not absenting and achieved higher success. Mr. Kostov pointed out special merit of Center Amalipe for these successes and pointed that the school is a “basic school” in project "Reducing drop out of Roma children”, and it will help two other schools to stop dropping out  Roma children.

"Good luck and only success" - with these words in bulgarian U.S. Ambassador James Uorlik turned to students. He pointed out, that Tishevitsa school is an example of how Roma and Bulgarian children can learn together and wished success of the initiative to reduce school dropping out.

Chief Secretary Ministry of Education Krasimir Valchev pointed that quality education in rural schools, dropping out prevention and educational integration of Roma children are priorities to the Ministry of Education. He gave on school a bell and wished for many years his ring still to start the beginning of the school year.

Students were greeted by Galina Petrova, a student at the College of Medicine - Vratza and participant in the program which supports Roma students in medical disciplines (Roma Health Scholarship Program). Of concern, Galia forgot her pre-written words, but she touched students and parents: "I am a Roma woman like many of you, and I`m  proud of it. When I was in primery school and I never thought I will be a student, but today I am an excellent student in my course. Education may open many doors for you, be persistent!”

"Today is your day, dear children, and all we came here for you! - Turned to students Deyan Kolev, Chairman of Center Amalipe - We will be happy not only if you complete primary school, but also continue your education at university. And one day some of you to come back here and become teachers in primary school "Kliment Ohridski".

Deyan Kolev thanked to Krassimir Valchev and H.E. James Warlick, because his presence gives a clear sign for the future of rural education and also to education of Roma children, which is especially important at  this time when is  preparing a new law for school education. He thanked to leadership from Municipality of Vratsa, which investend funds obtained by program for optimization of the schools, to become the base of  Primary School “St. Kliment Ohridski” into a model for all central schools in Bulgaria. "Dear fellow teachers, you will be richly rewarded! Roma today is going through enlightment and your names will be remembered as are remembered the names of the Bulgarian National Revival activists", said to teachers, Deyan Kolev.

With excitement, the twenty first-graders and their parents crossed the school threshold. Smiling teachers, beautifully painted in warm colors, different classrooms, hallways with posters and pictures depicting the performances of students from the after school classes "Ethnic Folklore - Roma folklore" greeted them. The official guests were able to see and enjoy an exhibition of traditional Bulgarian and Roma dishes .

U.S. Ambassador James Warlick spent time for a conversation with Galia, Lydia and Natalia, students from the Medical College - Vratsa. They shared their impressions of participation in the program supporting Roma medical students. Ambassador Warlick encouraged them to continue their education and participation in the program, pointing that it must be supported by the Bulgarian government.

Fifty-three firstgraders crossed the threshold of School-West University Dolna Banya this year - one of the twelve basic schools with proven success to prevent the removal of Roma students who are involved in the project of the Center Amalipe supported by the Foundation America Bulgaria. To wish success of the project and parvolatsite came Ambassador of France Mr. Etienne de Poncins, who opened the celebration. Students were welcomed by many institutions - Mayor of Dolna Banya, RIO - Sofia Regional Administration.

"I am glad that I see so many smiles on your faces today” - turned to students Theodora Krumova from Amalipe Center - this proves again that you study in one of the best schools - a school that makes you smile in the first day of school year not at last day. We will really count on you to study on this and the other children in our country, to show them how Roma and Bulgarian children can learn together and discover together the riches of Roma and Bulgarian folklore”. To motivate children the ceremony was attended by Miroslav, Christina and Aneliya. All three are students in various medical specialties and this year will participate in the Fellowship program for medical Roma students. "Our dreams depend on us. To become people as we want, such as - teachers, lawyers, medical workers. I’m Roma and I've always been proud of this” - Miroslav shared with students. “This even makes me try harder to finish my education. It was not easy, but here we are, future medical professionals now stand before you and sincerely hope that for few years you may be standing on our place and welcome the future first grade students in Dolna Banya”! After greetings form other guests, the mayor of Dolna Banya invited them to visit the Vocational School "Hristo Botev", kindergarten "Yuri Gagarin” and the shelter for children in the town  Dolna Banya. The official program closed for guests in the office of Mayor of Dolna Banya Mr. Vladimir Dzhambazov where Ambassador of France Mr. Etien de Ponsen held a special meeting - a conversation with representatives of the Centre Amalipe and students involved in the Fellowship Program. During the meeting discussed issues relating to the expulsion of Roma from France, the opportunities for Roma students - the program in medicine, health problems in France and Bulgaria, as well and opportunity Fellowship program to receive support under the Operational Programe "Human Resources".

The school in the town of Varshets few days before the opening program was wallop because they were expecting more than a big event. Besides representatives of Center Amalipe Center, High School “IvanVazov" would be visited by guests such as high Minister of EU funds Tomislav Donchev, Head of Integration of Ethnic Minorities in MLSP Petar Atanasov, Head of RECs - Montana, Mayor City of Varshets and chairman of the Municipal Council.

In his welcome words, the Minister expressed his respect to the dedication of teachers, which are devoted to their work in a multicultural environment, encouraging them to benefit fully from the opportunities offered by EU funds to do not stop the integration process. He wished  students bright days in school rooms and encouraged them to study with gladness and love for  knowledge.

The audience, among which were also many Roma parents, were excited by the sincere words from Mr. Petar Atanasov, who with a  measured  dose of humor, longed to conquer the students, wishing them to pursue their "golden circle" between learning and entertainment to keep the children inside them and seek their vocation with faith and confidence.

In the program at high school "Ivan Vazov” variety of songs and dances were involved which sounds upon their children's orchestra seemed even more impressive. What made the biggest impression was that all children, regardless of their ethnicity, were one whole. Roma and Bulgarians from the fourth grade performed songs in Bulgarian, Romany and English language, which once again confirmed that all children are capable, as long as they provide equal start for quality education. To motivate Roma children the celebration was attended also by Roma medical students. Atnoaneta, Bogdana, Sylvia and Desislava wanted to show to the children that, if we have very strong desire to achieve our goals, there is nothing able to stop us. The “way of knowledge” can involve everyone, no matter of ethnicity or religion. The important thing is the desire and persistence, also the hard work.

Saturated with emotions and enthusiasm, we welcomed the children from first grade class in their classrooms. We welcomed Roma and Bulgarian students who will learn together the secrets of science, the magic of Roma and Bulgarian folklore, skills and ability to have fun together. We welcomed our better future.

Good luck!