Sofia, May 31, 2018
On the eve of the international day of the Child the National Network for Children gave for an eighth consecutive year the “Golden Apple” awards to persons, organizations and institutions for contributing to children’s wellbeing in Bulgaria. The ceremony took place before 350 guests, friends and upholders of the cause at the Training Theatre of the NATFA “Krustyo Sarafov”.
The awards were in eight categories – “Children’s Hero”, “School”, “Hospital”, “Municipality”, “Journalist”, “Benefactor”, “Award for overall contribution to the Network for Children” and a Special Award.
All 66 nominations for the different categories can be seen at the site of the “Golden Apple”awards
The nominations for the Awards, with the exception of the “Children’s Hero” category, come from the 150 organizations, members of the Network from all over Bulgaria working for children and families and the winners are nominated from a special jury, comprised of experts and professionals in the field.
In the “Children’s Hero” category, which this year gathered the record 39 nominations, the nominations come from the public via the site of the “Golden Apple” initiative. The winner is selected by the popular vote from the public by online voting. This year all nominees in this category gathered almost 3000 votes.
In the eight edition of the “Golden Apple” awards for “Children’s Heroes” were elected Dr. Tanya Andreeva and Dariya Mukova, creators of the HealthyKid platform. At the expense of their free time and effort, the two elaborate the application which refers parents to suitable doctors and health facilities in cases of necessity. Bulgaria is the only EU country without a specialized children hospital and that is why the pediatrician Dr. Tanya Andreeva is part of the initiative for creating a Children’s Health Park in which all medical specialties for children are gathered in one place, making it easier for parents to find the necessary services when they need urgent medical care for their children. “The application is a sort of virtual hospital” said Dr. Andreeva upon receiving the award, “but I hope next year the award will go to the de facto founder of the National Children’s Hospital”.
The award for “School” went to Primary School “Nikola Ikonomov” in Razgrad for having elaborated an integrated strategy which guarantees the rights of the children and modern quality education according to new standards. The school has 635 pupils from different ethnical backgrounds and the faculty manages to ensure a calm creative educational atmosphere while no cases of racial or religious segregation are allowed.
The award in the “Hospital” category was given to the MHAT “Dr. Nikola VAsiliev” in Kyustendil. The hospital cooperates with NGOs and institutions in cases of children in risk on different problems and individual cases; works actively on keeping of underage mothers with children with health risks, supervises and counsels pregnant women without health insurance.
The award for “Municipality” went to Vratza municipality for their effort to find possibilities to improve the wellbeing of children and their families, as well as a multitude of implemented projects aimed at children and families at risk. The municipality puts a lot of effort in developing social services and also achieving a good partnership with NGOs.
The award in the “Journalist” category was given to Bela Cholakova from the “168 chasa” (168 hours) newspaper. For years she has covered adoption in its different aspects. Her press materials on the subject of adoption are precise and positive and are a step towards changing society values and creating a more favourable and accepting environment for adopted children.
The award for “Benefactor” went to “United Milk Company” for the project “Milk for everyone”, implemented in the last three years. For the duration of the program over 20 tons of dairy products were donated and distributed among homes, shelters, centers and poor families.
The “Award for overall contribution to the Network for Children” was given to Tzveta Brestnichka, Chairperson of the Board of “Parents” Association and one of the founders of the Network for Children. Tzveta Brestnichka received the award from Georgi Apostolov, Chairman of the Board of National Netowok for Children. “The power of the network lies in the fact that together bigger and smaller organizations we can make a change and the award is for all these people” said Tzveta Brestnichka upon receiving the award.
A Special award for contribution for improving the well-being of children was presented to the Ombudsman of Bulgaria – Mrs. Maya Manolova, who in the last three years works exclusively for protecting the rights and welfare of children. She puts a great effort in confirming the role of the Ombudsman institution as an advocate for children’s rights and actively advocates on topics like the need for reform in the children’s judicial system, violence against women and children, cases of lack of access to health services, support for children of work immigrants, adoption confidentiality and rights of adopters and adopted.
Alumni from the “Arteanci” children’s academy created the prizes for the “Golden Apple” Awards
