In this interview, we will introduce you to Tsvetomira Nikolova, who is an assistant teacher at the Kalinka kindergarten in Lom and has been working with children for 8 years. “Our little pupils are my motivation and inspiration. When they grow up and you meet them on the street again and they recognize you, it’s… There’s no feeling like it. They accept you as part of the family,” she shares.
There are also children of Roma origin in the garden, but Tsvetomira does not differentiate between them, and the same can be observed in their behavior—all are accepted as equals.
When asked how she builds trust with the community and the parents of Roma children, Tsvetomira shared that it is built daily through constant contact. “The relationship is mutual. Just as we care for them, they turn to us. We have never had any conflicts,” she says, emphasizing how important respect and consistency are in relationships with families.
Tsvetomira’s advice to young professionals who are just starting to work with children from the Roma community is not to be afraid of them. “With a little patience, attention, and love, everything works out. It is important to take the first step and discover the joy of working with them.”
When asked how she copes with moments of burnout, Nikolova shares that when things get tough, she first takes a break and reevaluates. “There are days when you say to yourself: that’s it. But then you realize that every child needs help. ” This motivates her to continue. Tsvetomira notes that her work is inspiring not only because of the children’s daily successes, but also because of the relationship she builds with them and their families.
With these words, Tsvetomira Nikolova reminds us that caring for every child, regardless of their ethnic origin, is a source of satisfaction. “Every child deserves attention, and our role is to help them develop and feel loved and supported,” she concludes.
The interview is part of the series “Voices of REYN,” which presents stories from members of the Network.