Reports on Help 200 students stay in school

Project Report | Apr 1, 2025
Summer START Academy: Lessons in Healthy Living in Burgas

By Denitza Manova | Development and Fundraising Specialist

Dear supporters,

Most of us are probably looking forward to the summer sunshine that awaits us in a few months. Typically, summer break for students means playing outside, visiting family and, hopefully, following the summer reading lists that teachers assigned at the end of the school year.

For some students, however, the summer break gives an opportunity to make up for knowledge and material they have missed during the school year. This is true for the students of the Vasil Levski Consolidated School in Gorno Ezerovo in Burgas. Allow me to take you back to July 2024, when the second edition of the Summer START Academy took place.

For three weeks, classrooms were filled with children, aged 7 to 13, working to strengthen their reading and math skills while also exploring the overarching theme of the Academy - healthy living. The Summer START Academy, led by Teach For Bulgaria alumna Vasiliya and a team of dedicated teachers, combined academic support with engaging activities designed to foster curiosity, confidence, and well-being.

Each day, students played math games that turned calculations into fun challenges, while Bulgarian language lessons encouraged them to express themselves through reading and storytelling. Beyond academics, they learned about the importance of a balanced lifestyle through interactive discussions and guest visits. The students met with two fitness experts, one of whom is the organiser of the 5k run in Burgas. Together, they explored the benefits of strength training and healthy eating. Following these visits, students were inspired to see movement as a source of joy.

The Deputy Mayor of Burgas was another special guest during the Summer START Academy, who left the students with three key lessons: go to school regularly, stay active, and eat in moderation.

The three-week academy culminated in the Knowledge and Health Fair, where students proudly showcased the projects they had been working on in front of parents, teachers, and special guests. The final day was a celebration of their efforts, marked by an outdoor excursion to Mineralni Bani Park and the awarding of certificates, recognizing their dedication and progress.

“What brings me back each year is that the children remember the experiences they had. They remember the warmth of their teachers and the activities. They even remember the teachers’ names,” shares Vasiliya, for her motivation to organise the Summer START Academy again.

Thanks to your support, these students had the chance to not only bridge learning gaps but also build memories and skills that will stay with them far beyond the summer months. Thank you for making this journey possible!

Gratefully,
The Teach For Bulgaria team

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Dec 4, 2024
Zen in Everyday Life in Fakulteta

By Denitza Manova | Development and Fundraising Specialist

Dear supporters,

Winter is on its way, but in this report, we are taking you back to the summer holidays. We want to share with you the story of the Summer START Academy in the Fakulteta neighborhood in Sofia organised by Teach For Bulgaria alumni. This year, for the 8th consecutive time, the Summer START Academy welcomed 45 students aged 7–14. The START Academy ran from the 8th to the 26th of July with the students from 75th Primary School "Todor Kableshkov".

Along with the traditional activities in Bulgarian language, Mathematics, and English, the big theme was “Zen in Everyday Life.” With it, the teachers wanted to encourage their students to explore mindfulness, healthy habits, and personal growth alongside academic learning.

During the three weeks, the children worked on creative group projects, such as developing brochures on healthy lifestyles, and lively activities like morning dance warm-ups. To broaden the children's worldwide, the teachers invited special guests to join the activities, including a plus-size model and a health advocate, who enriched the activities with motivational talks and interactive workshops, such as preparing healthy snacks.

Another activity that was a big hit among the students was learning about balanced nutrition and self-care and integrating these lessons into their daily routines. In teams with names such as "Sweet Melons," "Pizza Lab," and "Sporty Combo," the students collaborated on projects promoting healthy lifestyles. They created brochures, practiced presentation skills, and discussed ways to balance diet, exercise, and rest.

By the final week, the children were able to confidently present their projects to an audience and received certificates for their efforts. The Summer START Academy concluded with a reflective excursion to Rila Park in Dupnitsa, balancing relaxation and learning.

Thank you for your support for the Summer START Academies, which helps children build skills, confidence, and a love of learning each summer!

Gratefully,
The Teach For Bulgaria team

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Aug 9, 2024
Summer START Academy Kicked off in Brestnitsa

By Mina Nedeva | Development and Fundraising Team

Dear supporters,

The beginning of summer vacation means one thing - the comeback of the Summer START Academies. Held in 7 places around the country, they help students aged 7-13 to catch up on schoolwork and prevent them from falling out of school.

This year was the third annual Summer START Academy in the “Hristo Botev” Primary School Brestnitsa - held from the 1st until the 19th of June. Its main goal was to help 35 children from the local community to catch up on missed material which would otherwise put their position in school at risk. This year’s academy was centred around the topic of Career orientation which was the theme for all the teamwork and activities the students participated in.

During the opening day they explored four career paths - hairdressing, cooking, fashion design, and interior design. Additionally, throughout the three weeks of lessons they had the opportunity to meet and talk with experts who work in other fields, which encouraged them to continue on their road of educational and career development.

The START Academy’s main goal was to support children who struggle at school or are falling behind. Each day, they attended lessons in Bulgarian and Maths, divided into groups based on their skill level rather than their grade.

“The academy is important for students because it helps them fill up knowledge gaps, reintegrate into school (those who need it), and allows them to spend part of their holidays having fun,” says Bilyana, organiser of the event and TFB alumna. “For us teachers, it’s important because it makes us fully understand the phrase ’it is my responsibility’.”

During lessons and activities, students used and further expanded their teamwork and other soft skills through various projects, focused on the START Academy’s topic. To immerse themselves in the experience of being an interior designer, they used their creativity to produce unique cardboard model homes. A huge success was the fashion activity during which they created beautiful dresses out of colourful plastic bags.

On the last day of the academy, the students held a career fair where they could showcase the products of their hard work and the new skills they’d gained.

This would not be possible without people like you who choose to support our work and the community.

Sincerely,
The Teach For Bulgaria team

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