Being born and living in a small town does not mean that you need to have small dreams. And to prove this statement, the team of the NGO "Solidarity in Action" opened the first-of-its-kind programme in Bulgaria for personal development of girls and young women up to 25 years of age from small towns - "Gergina". The programme is inspired and dedicated to the longtime director of the National High School for Ancient Languages ​​and Cultures Gergina Toncheva (1932-2020).

She was born in the small village of Sadovets, Pleven region, completed her secondary education in Sandanski, and then earned a degree in Bulgarian philology from Sofia University. In 1977, she became the principal of the classical languages school in Bulgaria, which she headed for the next three decades.

Today, in her memory, the Solidarity in Action team wants to lend a hand to girls aged 15 to 25 who are inspired to go out of the stereotypes and predestination, who live, study or have already completed their primary education in a small town (up to 40,000 inhabitants).

Applying for the program is done via filling out a form on the organization's website by December 15. The approved girls will meet with inspiring and successful women mentors from various fields and will receive valuable advice on how to achieve a satisfying and lucrative career, harmonious relationships with others and build healthy self-esteem.

Compiled by Vessela Krasteva