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Ivanka Shalapatova – the Director of “For Our Children” Foundation was honored as “Woman of the Year” in the category “Society” of the “Grazia” magazine’s annual competition. Her award was presented by the Ambassador of Italy – Stefano Benazzo at a stylish ceremony held at the Military Club on December 11, 2011. Ivanka Shalapatova dedicated the award to all women in “For Our Children” Foundation and who fight to provide a family for every single child in Bulgaria more than 13 years. “This one award is a great recognition for many years of work I did. For all 13 years in the Foundation I have not stopped working for happiness in the lives of more children by professional social work and true charity. For all these years I knew that these values are still valid in our society and increasingly individuals who earn their battles, relying on these values. To make Charity and Good is difficult in Bulgaria, but it is not impossible.

This award is for all women in the organization. “For Our Children” Foundation could never be able to do the magical change in the lives of abandoned children without you and without your work, dear ladies. Here, I want to say that the woman without who these achievements would not have been possible to happen is Elka Nalbantova and I warmly thank her for her dedication and devotion. We all have spiritual beauty and it shown in our work. For me, this prize is for all women who kept her newborn babies and who believed that our society will not reproach them for the difficulties which they experience, but will support them to overcome the hardships and to give love and security of their children. This award is for all foster parents who opened their families for “our children”. The award is for all women who are our volunteers, consultants and partners, because for rising a child is necessary “a whole village”!” – said Ivanka Shalapatova on the occasion of her awards.

Among the fine ladies in the competition was the popular TV host Mira Dobreva, who is the person of the campaign for foster care of the Foundation “Abandoned Children do not need of pity, but of a family.” She took the prize in the category “Television programs”. “For Our Children” Foundation greets her for the award and wishes her to keep on donating all around her with her positive energy, enthusiasm and kindness.