In the small town of Dalgopol, where time seemed to stand still, lived a girl with big dreams and an indomitable spirit. She was born into a family that kept its good name and stuck to tradition. And they dictated that education was not a necessity for girls. Rather, they should strive for a successful marriage, raising children and maintaining the household. But despite the norms and expectations her family imposed on her, she had her own views on how to make her life fulfilling. This lady didn’t give up easily, even when the path to her dreams seemed impossible. Her story is an inspiration to all who have ever felt lost but never lost hope.
The young woman, who is now 24 years old, dreamed of getting a higher education and achieving something significant professionally. Although she didn’t know how she was going to realize this desire, she was clear about her goal. Her high school teachers were her inspiration. They believed in her and encouraged her to continue her studies despite the difficulties. And she was determined to go forward. Just then, an incredible opportunity presented itself. Two NGOs contacted her with offers to help her continue her education. These were the Trust for Social Alternative and the Association “Co-participation”, which provided a full scholarship for her studies. These two organisations became a key factor in her success. They gave her not only the means but also the confidence. With their support, the girl is now a fourth year student of the specialty “Preschool and Primary School Pedagogy” at Shumen University.
But this isn’t just someone’s story, it’s my story. My name is Elena, and my dream is to continue my education after completing my Bachelor’s degree in Education with a Master’s in Human Resource Management. I became passionate about this industry because alongside my studies, I work as a recruiter in a prestigious company. Every day I help people to find their vocation using the experience and knowledge I have gained over the years. But my ambitions don’t stop even with my Master’s degree. In addition to establishing myself in HR, I would like to one day open my own daycare, where I can combine my love of education with caring for children.
Last year, together with two other girls, we were selected from 80 applicants for a three-month internship in a kindergarten in Varna, which works according to the Montessori method. Every day I travelled 140 kilometres from Dalgopol to Varna and back, getting up at 5 o’clock in the morning and coming home at 8 o’clock at night, but I didn’t get tired, even the time for the internship seemed too short. It was very interesting to observe this method of training and education up close. I liked the fact that children are encouraged to discover their individual talents and develop them. This is probably why all the kids there seemed calm, confident and happy. Not only do the children learn there, but they gain a solid understanding of the environment through their interactions with different natural materials, as well as invaluable social skills. It was during this internship that I made the decision that my daycare would also work with the Montessori method.
My family’s attitude towards the quest to build my own future and find my place in the world has changed thanks to the successes I am achieving. Despite initial doubts and fears, they are now not only supportive but proud of my achievements. They see the dedication with which I study and work and that makes them happy. I’ll never forget my parents’ smiles when I told them earlier this year that as a volunteer with TSA, I was starting a three-month online English course for people who wanted to learn English but didn’t have the financial means. I worked with two groups of about 60 people in total, aged between 18 and 45. It was also a test for me as a teacher, but it gave me faith that teaching is not only an aspiration but also a gift that I possess.
My story is a testament to the power of determination and perseverance. I wrote it to share my view that sometimes the road to our goals can be long and difficult, but every step forward is important. No matter the challenges, we should never give up on our dreams. After all, miracles often come just when we least expect them. And when they happen, there is no greater satisfaction than knowing that it was all possible because of your efforts, confidence, and the support of those who believed in you. 