The day of my high school prom felt like the beginning of a magical fairy tale with a happily ever after – my longtime boyfriend, Desislav, proposed to me, and I excitedly said the cherished "Yes!" It was a warm and sunny day at the end of May 2018, and I couldn’t imagine a future brighter than the one I saw in my dreams of a prosperous family life. That same summer, my husband and I had decided to go abroad in search of a better future. But fate had other plans for us, and today, I, 21-year-old Toshka Ventsislavova from the picturesque village of Butan in Vratsa, work as a teacher assistant at the local kindergarten "First of June" while pursuing my higher education.
My husband and I were preparing to leave for Golden Prague, where some of our close friends lived. Even before stepping on Czech soil, they had found us jobs at a factory producing car parts. The prospect of living abroad was attractive, but also somewhat saddening, as I had never left Butan for an extended period. I grew up in a close-knit family—a musician father and a shopkeeper mother—and I am a proud older sister to a younger brother and sister. Our childhood was happy, and even though my father was often away for work, striving to provide us with a better future, I always felt the support and love of my family. Now, I was about to leave the nest. Everything was planned; all that was left was for my husband and me to pack our bags and head to the airport.
Just two days before our departure, I accidentally came across a social media post announcing a competition under the "Teacher in My Community" project, funded by the Trust for Social Achievement (TSA) and implemented locally by the "New Path" Association. These organizations were looking for motivated, responsible, and dedicated young people of Roma origin who were willing to start their higher education and later take on teaching positions at the local kindergarten. This post intrigued me deeply. It felt like a sign from fate that I should stay and give it a try.
I was nervous about sharing my thoughts with my husband since I was still unsure if this was my true calling. I knew that we would lose a lot of time and resources if we didn’t leave for Prague, but I decided to talk to him anyway. We discussed the possibility of me continuing my education and ultimately decided to stay. Together, we went to my interview for admission into the "Teacher in My Community" project. I vividly remember that day—it was in September 2018 when I crossed the threshold of "First of June" kindergarten and anxiously waited to be called into the director’s office. Even though Desislav always believes in me and supports me unconditionally, my heart felt as small as that of a child separating from their mother for the first time. After all, if I were accepted, my life would take a completely different path than planned! What I didn’t know then was that this change would lead to brighter days filled with children’s laughter and magic.
As we waited, I kept reminding myself that there was a reason I was there and prayed that I would win over the people who could make my studies possible. In the office, I was greeted by the kindergarten director, Nina Marinova, who had once been my teacher. Beside her sat a woman with reddish hair, light blue eyes, and freckles on her cheeks, smiling encouragingly. This was Spaska Mihaylova from the "New Path" Association. Seeing the nervousness in my eyes, they both reassured and comforted me. A few days after the interview, Spaska Mihaylova called me with the good news—I was accepted.
I was over the moon with joy. I am a Roma woman who is not ashamed to declare her identity to the world and confidently demonstrate that many people in our community are educated, ambitious, and socially responsible. Now, I was given the chance to truly make a difference in changing the persistent prejudices against Roma people in society.
After several months of intense preparation and additional Bulgarian language and literature lessons, I successfully passed the university entrance exam. In the fall of 2019, I officially became a student in "Preschool Pedagogy with a Foreign Language" at the Veliko Tarnovo University, Vratsa branch. The first obstacle on my journey from a timid girl to a true professional was overcome.
Soon after, I started working as an educational mediator at "First of June." I crossed the kindergarten’s threshold again, but this time more confident and motivated to overcome all challenges and become a good teacher. My role involved maintaining the connection between the children's families and the kindergarten. During this time, I saw firsthand both perspectives—the parents’ and the educators’—and I realized how big of a problem attendance at preschool was before children enrolled in first grade. I visited families whose children were either not attending regularly or not enrolled at all. Often, I left their homes with promises that the child would start coming to kindergarten, but without any real change. A part of the Roma community in Butan still did not recognize the importance of preschool education. However, there were times when, after my conversations, parents reconsidered and started bringing their children to kindergarten. For me, that was a step forward in our mission to ensure equal opportunities for all children in school.
I have now been working at "First of June" kindergarten for two years, currently as a teacher assistant. My role is to assist in organizing children's activities and daily routines, preparing materials, and supporting the educational sessions. I look forward to my workdays with excitement, and every morning, I enter the kindergarten with the desire to give my best to the little ones. And they respond with genuine love and kindness, making the teaching profession the most rewarding job in the world. To me, children are a blessing and life itself. They are the sunshine that brightens our darkest days and warms our souls. They are our hope and our future.
The next step for me is becoming a full-fledged teacher, and I believe in myself. I can now confidently say that I have found my calling. Children make me feel complete and truly happy. I am endlessly grateful to TSA and the "New Path" Association for their support and motivation, as well as to Director Nina Marinova and the entire kindergarten staff for welcoming me into their big family, believing in me, and guiding me through this responsible profession. Sometimes, balancing family responsibilities, work commitments, and university lectures is overwhelming, but with the support of my loved ones, colleagues, and professors, I manage to get through the busiest days. My heart is also filled with gratitude to God for the opportunities and the family He has given me—they give me the courage to keep moving forward.
"The belief that you can is already half the journey," said Theodore Roosevelt, and I completely agree with this statement. When you overcome your doubts and dedicate yourself to your goal, success is inevitable. All it takes is effort, persistence, and motivation. Nothing is impossible, and I prove that every day—with every successfully passed exam and every eager little student who confidently steps from our kindergarten into first grade.
TSA has been developing the "Teacher in My Community" initiative since 2018. This initiative supports young people from local communities by helping them obtain professional teaching qualifications and secure employment in local kindergartens. It aims to create role models for young children and provide professional development opportunities for youth in need of support to complete their higher education and enter the labor market.