“THE HIDDEN TALENTS OF BULGARIA“
In October 2017 “The Hidden Talents of Bulgaria” an year-round Mentoring Program was launched by the “Operation Teddy Bear” Association. The Program gives a chance for professional realization of talented young people deprived of parental care or youth from socially disadvantaged families.
After numerous visits to social services across the country, our team had met many talented children and young people who, unfortunately, do not have the chance to develop their potential and build a better future for themselves due to lack of the necessary support and resources.
We want to change this!
Every year the Mentoring Program accepts different participants from across the country, that have proven to be talented and want to develop their talent, to continue their education and to get a chance for a better life.
“The Hidden Talents of Bulgaria” provides full access to:
-
Individual development program for the whole school year with short and long-term goals;
-
weekly private lessons;
-
individual work with a trained mentor;
-
participation in seminars, workshops, contests, competitions, trainings, camps, etc .;
-
the necessary materials;
-
psychological support;
-
motivational meetings with famous and successful individuals;
-
preparation for applying to University;
-
applying for an internship or a job.
Give a chance for a professional realization! Give future!
“Operation Teddy Bear” Association
Bank: UniCredit Bulbank
IBAN: BG15UNCR70001522802121
BIC: UNCRBGSF
or
via PayPal
Every donation counts!
WHO ARE THE “HIDDEN TALENTS OF BULGARIA”?
The Program started with 8 talented participants in 2017. During the first school year our talents won competitions, medals and dipIomas, started preparing for applying to universities and one of them even had his first independent exhibition and sold his first paintings. In 2018 the number of participants rose to 12. Currently we have talented children part of the Program in Burgas, Varna, Vidin, Elhovo, Gabrovo, Haskovo and Sofia and the talents we are supporting are in the fields of: music, traditional dance, art, sports, poetry and culinary. Our team is preparing one of them for The Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv. Wish him good luck!
If you are a teacher, a social worker or a principle of a social service for children at risk or children deprived of parental care or you know a talented child at risk/deprived of parental care, who would like to participate in the Program, you can contact us at: stb@plushenomeche.org
Tonny, The Violinist
Galin, The Artist
2017-2019
Past Participant
The Artist from Sofia
2018-2019
Past Participant
Chris, The Dancer
Lazar, The Rower
The Footballer
2018-Present
Artist from Varna
Ilya, The Rower
Zlatko, The Chef
2018-Present
Asen, The Singer
2017-2018
Past Participant
Alexander, The Rower
The Poet
2018-Present
WHAT IS A MENTOR AND HOW CAN YOU BECOME ONE?
Why a MENTORIG Program? Because the talented participants in the Program have the need for support and mentoring by a more experienced person. This will help them realize their talents and skills that will help their development in a professional, emotional and social aspect.
To be a Mentor to one of our talented participants you do NOT need to have experience in the creative sphere of that participant.
The role of the Mentor requires:
- positive example for the child/teenager;
- guidance for the realization of the participants interests and goals;
- guidance on his / her social and relationship with others;
- support for building a positive self-esteem;
- motivating and encouraging growth in the chosen field of development;
- regular weekly meetings between the mentor and the child / young person.
This is possible through:
- the gradual establishment of trust relationships;
- organizing or involving the participants in various events for personal and professional development (eg seminars, workshops, cultural events);
- emotional support and personal example.
The responsibilities of the Mentor are:
- to explore the individual capabilities and interests of the participant;
- to target and recommend appropriate activities and events to the participant;
- to help him / her choose a university, internship, profession, etc.
Mentoring in the “Hidden Talents of Bulgaria” Program is a voluntary, unpaid form of mentor and mentor relationship with clearly established rules, goals and principles of interaction within the Mentoring Program. Mentors in our program undergo specialized training to prepare them for work with the program participants.
The mentoring program includes an entire team who works in line with both the objectives of the Program and the individual goals set by and for each participant. For optimal results and compliance with the general rules of the Mentoring Program, the goals and action plan for achieving them are actively discussed with the team and participants in the Program.
In May 2019 our team will start recruiting new Mentors for the new school year – September 2019 and May 2020. If you want to be one of them you can send us a CV and a motivational letter in writing to galina.dicheva@plushenomeche.org
The best sign of success for a teacher is when you can safely say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.’ – Maria Montessori