She is someone who remembers the moments before words are born – when the writer is still listening, not yet speaking. Her name is Daniela Yaneva, Chair of the Board of the “Open Society Club” in Ruse. Since the very beginning of the project she joined – “Let’s Work Together” back in 2003, when she was a coordinator – she has felt that real change does not come from media headlines, but from quiet stories supported by action.
Today, the word project sometimes carries a negative connotation, but it shouldn’t. A project is a way to make meaningful things happen for someone in need of support. When I started working on my first project at the Club, I was a reporter — I used to cover problems, but always from a distance. The project aimed to ensure that children with disabilities from institutions had access to more services and could leave closed institutions. At the time, we organised hippotherapy – therapeutic horse-riding sessions. After just a few sessions, one of the children spoke for the very first time. It was an immense joy for all of us. Pure magic! We were deeply moved and incredibly happy. The specialists called it an extraordinary achievement. I felt it as a sign – this is where my true purpose and path forward begin.
From being a journalist who reported on events, I began to create them. More than two decades later, I still believe, just as I did back then. Working at the “Open Society Club” Ruse taught me that engaging with different cultures and social communities requires not only professionalism but also empathy — a quality you cannot learn in school, but develop through sharing and trust. It is like finding your voice in order to help.
We work with children from small towns and ethnic minorities, who in practice have access to almost nothing. Our workshops, role-playing games, trainings and debates are specially designed to instil values such as respect, equality and solidarity — not as lectures, but as actions in everyday life. One of our most important initiatives has been the effort to create a Roma Ombudsman in Ruse region. Through this initiative, more than 300 members of the Roma community received access to legal support, information sessions and a platform for dialogue. Thanks to these efforts, many people realised that they were not abandoned by the state, nor by others. We supported people who didn’t even have an ID card — and today, without documents, you cannot go anywhere.
Being part of the National Network for Children is not just a formality. Thanks to it, the voice of organisations like ours is heard at the national level — where debates about the most vulnerable and suffering often remain unheard, unseen and misunderstood. Through our joint work in the network, through experience sharing and advocacy, we make sure that all children are recognised and valued — regardless of their background — and that they have a chance to grow as independent and active citizens of Bulgaria. The Network is the place where we learn to speak, but also to act as citizens in a shared language of support for children and families in need.
And the people who make all this possible are defenders, people with faith and enthusiasm, who know that believing in change begins with care.
This story shows how a quiet voice can change someone’s world. But there are still children waiting to be heard, even if they do not speak. With your monthly support, you can help write the next story. Become a donor at www.nmd.bg/dari.
This article is part of the new series by the National Network for Children, “Stories from the Heart of the Network,” where we invite you to step into the world of those who, every day – often quietly and unseen – work for the rights and wellbeing of children in Bulgaria. We will share real stories of specialists, activists and professionals from NNC member organisations – people who do not just perform their professional duties, but live the cause of building a better future for every child.
