National Network for Children presented for the eighth consecutive year the Golden Apple Awards that distinguish individuals, organizations and institutions with contribution to Bulgarian children well-being.
The ceremony was at the National Theater Academy “Krastyo Sarafov” in the presence of nearly 350 guests, friends and adherents of the cause.
The prizes were awarded in eight categories – Hero of Children, School, Hospital, Municipality, Journalist, Charity, Award for Contribution to the National Network for Children and Special Prize.
The Chairperson of the State Agency for Child Protection, Dr. Eleonora Lilova, was a special guest of the event. She greeted the participants and awarded an honorary diploma to National Network for Children.
All 66 nominations in different categories can be viewed on the website of the Golden Apple Awards www.1june.nmd.bg.
Nominations for the awards, with exception of the Hero of Children category, come from all 150 organizations – members of National Network for Children, working for children and families. The winners are selected by a special jury of experts and professionals.
For Hero of Children category, which this year gathered a record 39 nominations, the proposals come from the general public through the Golden Apple website. The choice of the winner in this category was made by the audience with online vote. This year nearly 3,000 people voted.
The winners are Dr. Tanja Andreeva and Daria Mukova – founders of the HealthyKid platform. The two ladies developed an application, which directs parents to an appropriate doctors and medical institutions in case of urgent need. Bulgaria is the only country in the EU that does not have a specialized children’s hospital and the pediatrician Dr. Tanya Andreeva is a part of the initiative to create a Children’s Health Park, bringing together all medical specialties for children at one place.
The award for School took Primary School “Nikola Ikonomov” in Razgrad. The school has developed a comprehensive strategy which guarantees the rights of the children and modern education according to the new standards. The school teaches 635 students of different ethnic background and the pedagogical team manages to provide a relaxed creative atmosphere and education with no segregation on ethnic or religious ground.
The award in the category “Hospital” was won by the hospital “Dr. Nikola Vassiliev”, Kyustendil. The hospital cooperates with NGOs and institutions in cases of children at risk and in other different cases. The hospital team actively works to keep children at risk in the medical facility, traces and advises pregnant women without insurance.
The Municipality Award went to the Municipality of Vratsa for their efforts to improve the well-being of children and families, as well as for the many implemented projects aimed at children and families at risk. The municipality develops many services in the social sphere.
The award in the Journalist category was awarded to Bela Cholakova from “168 Hours” newspaper. Bela has been writing for years on the topic of adoption in its various aspects. Her materials positively and correctly examine the issue of adoption and are a step towards changing the value system of society.
The “Blagotvoritel” Award won the United Milk Company for “Milk for Everyone” project. More than 20 tonnes of dairy products have been donated within the program for the last 3 years and were distributed among homes, shelters, centers and poor families.
The special award for Contribution to the National Network for Children was awarded to Tsveta Brestnischka, chairperson of the Management Board of „Parents Association“ and one of the founders of the National Network for Children.
The Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, Maya Manolova, has been awarded the Special Award for Contributing to the Welfare of Children in Bulgaria. Mrs. Manolova has been working actively in the past three years to protect the rights and well-being of children.
The well known actor Ivaylo Zahariev and Daniela Zaharieva – a representative of the Megaphone Youth Network, host the ceremony.
Many children took part in the preparation of the event: art studio “Arteanci” has developed the statuettes of the Golden Apple Awards. The video, presenting the children’s view of the different categories, was shot with the participation of students from the 26th school Yordan Yovkov, Sofia. The vocal group Mickey Mouse raised the mood of the guests during the ceremony.
