site.btaLittle People of Bulgaria National Organization Marks 30th Anniversary

The Little People of Bulgaria National Organization celebrated its 30th anniversary with a formal event in Sofia on Thursday evening.

It was attended by President Iliana Iotova, Health Minister Michail Okoliyska, Labour and Social Policy Minister Hasan Ademov, Education and Science Minister Sergei Ignatov, parliamentary Labour and Social Policy Committee Chair Denitsa Sacheva, who is also GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader, Podkrepa Confederation of Labour President Dimitar Manolov and foreign guests.

Svetoslav Chernev, President of Little People of Bulgaria, said the organization was founded by four people of short stature with the support of the Podkrepa trade union. Years later, more than 150 individuals and their families are now involved with the cause, he said. "Podkrepa President Dimitar Manolov said that when little people cannot reach the handles of institutional doors, that is when support steps in," Chernev added.

"Thanks to our persistence, hard work and energy, as well as the support of Bulgarian institutions, we have built a strong organization with the capacity and a dedicated centre providing services for little people and their families," said Chernev, adding that they always know what is happening with these individuals. "New families are reaching out to us all the time."

Podkrepa President Dimitar Manolov said: "There are many people who do not notice them, but I have learned that little people have enormous hearts. Few people realize how our world looks through their eyes, or that the chair we sit on is often too high for them." He said that the Little People of Bulgaria organization is one of the best initiatives in which Podkrepa has been involved. "When we joined it by chance 30 years ago, I never imagined I would be attending an event like today's," he reflected.

Addressing those gathered, President Iliana Iotova said: "When you have a big heart and a big dream, your height does not matter. When you have a generous soul and a heart full of love, no barrier can confine or limit you. May the next several 30-year periods bring ever more friends, greater public awareness, good results, and love and understanding among all of us." She also said: "I am here to express my deep sense of responsibility, not only on behalf of the institution I represent, for addressing your issues, but also our commitment to making this process increasingly easier and with more allies."