20 years since the establishment of the ‘Gavroche” Association
24.03.2014

On 13.03.2014 at 5 pm in the Art hall of the Varna Radio station the “Gavroche” Association marked its 20th jubilee. Among the guests of the official event were representatives of the Municipality of Varna, regional mayor’s offices, directors of directorships in the field of social support and protection of children, representatives of non-governmental organisations, of the Varna and Veliki Preslav Sacred Diocese, volunteers and pupils from schools in Varna. Our special guest was Mr. Ivan Stanchov – one of the founders of “Gavroche” who, as a member of the Managerial board has helped its development throughout the years.

Tsvetanka Kovacheva, PhD, member of the MB of the Association and lecturer of mathematics in the Technical university-Varna, announced the decision for awarding him with the statue of Gavroche for his devotional activity for the development of the Association and making him its Chairperson of honor. The award was given by the chairperson of the MB Assoc. Prof. Penka Stoyanova, PhD. Mr. Stanchov thanked for the honor and outlined for the guests his experience with “Gavroche” since its very start.

    Father Doncho Atanassov – bishopric advisor and representative of his High grace the Varna-and-Veliki Preslav archbishop Yoan and chairperson of the “St. Atanassij” church greeted all people present at the event.   
    Assoc. Prof. Penka Stoyanova, PhD presented briefly the activity of the Association. For 20 years more than 2390 children and 1850 families have been helped, more than 990 specialists, social workers, pedagogues, psychologists and nurses from Varna and other Bulgarian and Russian towns have been trained. The skills gained for work against violence have been applied for more than 1800 children at risk, more than 250 young people have been helped to continue and complete their education, 460 Roma women have been motivated to take a new life path. Assoc. prof. Stoyanova, PhD tanked everyone who has helped the activity of “Gavroche” in these 20 years, for their understanding and compassion for the fate of the children.
    During the official event there were shown parts of the film “Children in the street”, financed by the World Bank for development. The film shows the first steps of “Gavroche” and the life of the children. Today in the “Home” the team continues taking care of children and young people at risk. They are provided with shelter, training, health consultation, cultural events, excursions, vacation in the summer camp of the Association in the Elena Balkan mountain and others. Some of the children aged 18 can find accommodation in protected homes. Dimitar Vasilev and Daniela Velichova told about their life in these homes.
    Tsvetanka Kovacheva, PhD underlined that great attention is given to the training and upgrading the qualification of the team of the Association. It takes part in a number of social projects financed by various organisations in the country and abroad. The project “Prevention of homelessness and social backwardness among Roma people” won first award it the competition “Made in Bulgaria with the help of Europe” in the sphere of “Social support and healthcare”.
    Mrs Tanya Buck, member of the MB of “Gavroche” told about the help of volunteers and sponsors who have contributed for the useful life of the children in the home.
    Mrs. Maria Prohaska, a long-time chairperson and member of MB, presented the published “Manual for preventing violence over children” and the journalist Mrs. Nina Lokmadzhieva presented the newly published Book of “Gavroche”.
    Diplomas were awarded to everyone who has contributed for the success of Gavroche through their work and care.   
       Formal greetings were given by Mrs. Maria Petrova – executive director of the “Tulip” Foundation, Zdravko Markov – former member of MB, Tania Vasileva from the “Social activities” Directorship of Varna Municipality who gave an honorary plaque to the team. More than 20 formal written greetings were received from partner organisations, theatres and administrations.
    The piano player Stratsimir Pavlov made a musical greeting, as well as the children from “Gavroche”, the vocal group from the “Little prince” private school lead by Mr. Emil Tachev and the pupils from third-grade E of “Georgi Rakovski” SS with class teacher Mrs. Diana Marinova. With their cheerful songs and poems all these children made the atmosphere more enjoyable. The pastry-shop “Kramer” took care for their good mood by making a wonderful cake. We gave our special thanks to Assoc. prof. engineer Radko Radev – sculptor and lecturer in the Technical University-Varna for the statue he made which became a symbol of our Association.
       During the whole official event the people present had the chance to see an exhibition of paintings made by children and young people from “Gavroche”, pictures from their meetings with volunteers and sponsors, sayings of volunteers, sent written greetings and others. The event ended with a cocktail party.

Since 24.03.2014 a charity exhibition of finger-made and oil paintings made by the children of “Gavroche” under the guidance of Mrs. Tania Konstantinova has been on display in Radio Varna. Everyone willing to support the activities of the Association can buy an item from the colorful  works of the children.