A summer of service

We usually associate summer with vacation, sunshine, the sea, and time spent with ourselves and for ourselves. However, three students majoring in “Special Education” at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” chose to spend their summer vacation serving others. Stella, Tsvetina, and Yoanna spent three months working with children with special educational needs at the parish center affiliated with the Church of St. Demetrius in Pancharevo. The internship was conducted under the guidance of the parish center’s coordinator and university lecturer, Senior Assistant Professor Dr. Maria Valyavicharska.

All three interns agree that their internship has provided them with valuable experience, and the inspiration they’ve gained is indescribable.

“At first, I had quite a few worries—whether I’d know how to react in different situations and, above all, whether I’d really be able to help. Those worries gradually faded, and the internship helped me realize that this is the field in which I want to grow,” says Stella. She shares that one of the most important things she’s learned is just how much patience and calm working with children requires. You have to adapt to the child, their abilities, needs, and mood, she adds, noting that things don’t always go according to plan.

“I think the internship takes place in a wonderful and supportive environment. For me, the work was extremely rewarding, and I felt comfortable learning, asking questions, and gaining practical experience. I wouldn’t change anything significant about the way it’s organized. Rather, I would be happy if, in the future, there were even more opportunities for interns to observe and work with different children and specialists, because it was precisely the hands-on work that helped me the most in understanding the profession,” Stella adds.

After this internship, the student feels much more confident in her choice to study special education. “Besides the specific knowledge and skills I acquired, the most valuable thing for me was that I left with the feeling that I’m in the right place and that this is a field in which I’d like to continue to grow,” Stella adds.

Tsvetina describes her internship at the parish center as an experience that left a deep impression on her, both professionally and personally. “From our very first meetings with the children, I felt that I had found a place where I could not only apply what I’d learned but also truly connect with the world of each and every one of them.”

What she will remember most are the children themselves—their smiles, their personalities, the way they interacted with the interns, and the small steps they took every day that showed that trust, patience, and perseverance matter.

“Every child was different, and that’s exactly what made the internship so valuable. It taught me to be more attentive to individual needs, not to rush my expectations, and to appreciate every bit of progress, even if it seemed small at first glance.”

Tsvetina shares that it was incredibly exciting for her to watch the bond form between the interns and the children. How the children began to accept them, trust them, and participate in the activities with increasing confidence.

“Every success we achieved brought a sense of purpose and reminded us why what we do is so important. Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that turn out to be the greatest proof that we’ve managed to make a difference,” says Tsvetina. Her internship gave her the opportunity to gain an even deeper understanding of the responsibility and meaning of the profession she has chosen—special education.

She shared that her internship at the center showed her just how much we can learn from children when we give them time, attention, understanding, and the space to be themselves. The experience remains a cherished memory, a professional lesson, and yet another reason to continue on her chosen path with enthusiasm and dedication.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of this place and to connect with the world of these children. I thank Senior Assistant Professor Dr. Maria Valyavicharska for her trust, support, and the opportunity to experience this internship in a way that exceeded my expectations of a typical internship. I’m leaving with so much more knowledge, experience, and confidence, but above all with the feeling that I’ve been part of something truly meaningful,” said Tsvetina.

The mission of the center attached to the church is to create a space where every child, parent, and adult can feel love, acceptance, and support—in the spirit of Christian values. For those in financial need, the center provides social services free of charge.

The parish center at St. Demetrius Church welcomes with open arms anyone seeking understanding, support, and professional assistance in a cozy and spiritually inspiring home. For more information, visit the parish center’s website.