Prepare Bulgarian Kids for the Jobs of the Future

The time has come to proudly present the outcomes of our collective endeavors throughout the 2022-2023 academic year. We are thrilled to share that our commitment to preparing the next generations for the digital future remains unwavering. This remarkable achievement has been made possible thanks to your steadfast support. Together, we are providing countless students in Bulgaria with invaluable opportunities to pave their way towards successful professional paths.

Summary 2022-2023

In the past academic year, we achieved remarkable milestones, reaching a record number of students who have benefited from our programs and expanding our community of like-minded individuals. Here are the key accomplishments:

• Launched an impressive total of 140 cohorts in 47 cities and villages across Bulgaria, a significant increase from the previous year's 130 cohorts in 41 settlements.
• Provided comprehensive training to over 3,000 students, surpassing last year's figure of 2,800.
• Strengthened our team of teachers and collaborated with 99 contractors, compared to 92 in the previous year.
• Expanded our network of supporters, attracting a greater number of individual donors, private companies, foundations, and municipalities.

End of the School Year

Each cohort successfully completed the academic year, and our students proudly received their well-deserved certificates. Furthermore, we had the pleasure of organizing a memorable year-end festival for the very first time. This festive event brought together over 700 attendees, including 250 children from 23 different locations who actively participated. The students showcased an impressive array of over 150 digital projects that they had created during their free training at our academy. The overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive from our dedicated teachers, enthusiastic students, and appreciative parents fills us with immense satisfaction, knowing that our collective efforts have truly made a difference.

Impressions from parents and students

We are happy to share with you the impressions from both parents and students following the conclusion of the academic year.

"Introducing my son to the fundamentals of Digital Sciences has sparked a newfound passion for programming. He now finds greater excitement in creating games rather than simply playing them. The training has instilled him with confidence, even in his Computer Modeling classes at school. I am hopeful that he will continue to thrive and progress in this field." - Parent of a student from the "Digital Sciences" cohort for grades 3-4.

"I was thoroughly impressed by the instructor's dedication, the consistent schedule of classes, the practicality of the knowledge acquired through the programs at Telerik Academy School, and, importantly, the fact that the training is provided free of charge. It left a remarkable impression on me." - Parent of a student from the "Game Development" cohort for grades 8-11.

"My aspiration is to become an aviator. Programming and technology are integral parts of this profession, and I firmly believe that the knowledge I acquired at Telerik Academy School will greatly benefit me." - Student from the "Digital Sciences" cohort for grades 8-11.

 "I aspire to become a programmer or a creator of robots that can be utilized by each and every one of us. Additionally, my goal is to develop applications that surpass the capabilities of platforms like YouTube and Facebook. The invaluable knowledge I acquire from Telerik Academy School will undoubtedly serve me well in achieving these ambitions." - Student from the "Web Development" cohort for grades 5-7. 

What is next 

Exciting months are ahead of us. Thanks to the support of our current partners and the addition of new like-minded individuals, we are on the verge of achieving our target of opening 100 cohorts in the upcoming academic year. This accomplishment will, once again, offer around 2500 students access to free and high-quality education in digital technologies. As mentioned in our previous report, our team is diligently working on expanding the model for integrating programs into more schools across the country.

During the summer, our primary focus is to ensure the continuity of our existing partnerships and optimize cohorts in the settlements where we are already present. Additionally, we have planned an extensive and exciting summer retreat for our network of trainers. At this retreat, we will introduce them to our new model for integrating programs into schools and aim to inspire them to become ambassadors for our cause in the future.

Thanks to your trust, we have the power to transform the lives of thousands of students in Bulgaria each year, equipping them for a prosperous career journey.

We are always open to suggestions for potential donors and partners, including private companies, individuals, local administrations, schools, and community organizations, who share our vision and would like to contribute to our cause. If you have any ideas or recommendations, please don't hesitate to reach out to us!

With your unwavering support and active involvement, we can continue to provide equal opportunities for Bulgarian children to access digital skills training. By enhancing their capabilities, we are paving the way for their future growth and success. Your invaluable contribution is deeply appreciated.

Thank you!