Childhood for everybody
Team
EVGENI DIMITROV,
director of the Center for Social Rehabilitation and Integration
Mr. Dimitrov is a person whose phone is never turned off, regardless of the day and time. He takes care and manages everything connected to the Centre in Pravets. Having worked more than 18 years in the social sphere, previously being also the Director at the home for children with disabilities in Vidrare, before the deinstitualization, his work at the Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integration is a natural continuation and expression of his dedication to social work.
ISKRA TRAYANOVA,
occupational therapist, art/music therapy
Teacher by education, Iskra has more than 15 years of experience in working with children with disabilities. All of the artwork that one sees upon entering the Centre for Rehabilitation and Social Integration in Pravets it’s a product of her efforts with the children who visit the centre daily. She also plays the accordion, teaches the children songs, and organizes festivities during holidays, where the children sing songs, dance traditional dances and act out stories.
She cherishes the love she has received from the children and says that despite the fact that social work can often be undervalued, she lives for the moments when the product of the hard work shows itself through the creative expression of the children.
MARIANA NIKOLOVA,
social worker
Mariana is in charge of all the documentation at the Centre. She keeps track of each child’s activities and personal information, while also creating the schedule and managing the team of specialists who work with the children every day. Despite the sometimes more bureaucratic nature of her work, she is often seen together with the children, playing games, taking them on walks, and team building activities outside the city.
One of the biggest challenges she points out in her work is the coordination and harmonization of the whole team, and making sure that everyone gives their all in their work with the children despite the difficulties involved. She says the Centre teaches her more about love, tolerance and understanding with each passing day.
MARIA PAVLOVA,
rehabilitator
Maria divides her time between working at a local hospital and the Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integration in Pravets. She is in charge of the physical rehabilitation of the children, applying the methods of kinesiotherapy, working actively with a treadmill, exercise bike, engaging the children in sports activities and games, as well as applying so-called ‘passive’ exercises for the ones who experience difficulties moving.
The most important thing about working with children with disabilities, Maria shares, is the ability, energy and desire to find and explore the individuality of each child and figure out a special way to bring it out and sustain it.
GERGINA YONOVA,
pediatric nurse
Gergina main dream since her youth years was to help those in need, even if that aspiration implied to move far away from Bulgaria, to the other hemisphere of the world. However she found 18 years ago those in need closer than she thought.
She firmly state that "If I do not feel the children with my heart I would not be able to work here."
Her job is a matter of vocation, but also a gift that life gives her. She's at Pravets Center for Rehabilitation and Integration for and because of the children, to help them grow up in life independently.
