On the Web

2005

In May 2005 the Foundation donated 5 computer configurations to the P. R. Slaveykov children’s home in Sofia. A network and internet connection were set up. This is how the first internet club was established. Its maintenance was assigned to an ex-inhabitant of the home. Gradually, the number of computers grew, a new bigger room was devoted to the initiative becoming the favorite meeting place for all the children. Because of the great interest, a schedule for using the computers had to be introduced. The club grew to be a place where the children were able to spend their free time in an interesting way, find information, get to know the world, and find help in preparing their homework.

Based on this experience, the Foundation decided to extend the successful pilot and reach more children throughout the country. This is how the On the Web Project was initiated. It was approved by the State Agency for the Protection of Children and the Ministry of Education and Science.

The amount spent was 2500 Bulgarian leva.

2006

In the beginning of the year, the Foundation started implementing the activities under the On the Web Project which aimed to provide young people aged 7 – 18, living in social institutions, with access to contemporary information technologies. The setting up of computer clubs proved to be one of the most important prerequisites for overcoming the social, informational, and spacial isolation of children growing up in institutions. For those coming into age, computer literacy and access to the full range of information about the labor market are a must when it comes to coping with life on one’s own. The project involved the setting up of a website with a forum for young people to exchange useful and relevant information.

Twelve internet clubs were set up in the period January – December 2006 at the following children’s homes: Hristo Botev and Assen Zlatarov in Sofia, St. Ivan Rilski in Razliv, Konstantsa Ljapcheva in Dolna Banya, Ana Gizdova and Vassil Petleshkov in Bratsigovo, Ludogorie in Isperih, Lubcho Barumov in Doganovo, Assen Zlatarov in Yakoruda, St. Nikolay Mirlikiiski in Blagoevgrad, Tanju Voivoda in Assenovgrad and the home in Velingrad. Computers and additional equipment were delivered to the homes depending on the needs in each of them. Network and internet connection as well as regular servicing and training of the users were provided. Over 800 children living in homes were given to access contemporary IT and the internet. 

The amount spent on equipment was 7919 Bulgarian leva and the market value of the services provided amounted to 10395 Bulgarian leva.

2007

New internet clubs based at children’s homes joined the project network: Rada Kirkovich, Knyaginya Maria-Luiza and Olga Skobeleva in Plovdiv and one of the SOS Children’s villages houses of residence.

The following software products donated by Sirma Group were installed on the computers – History of Bulgaria, A-Z Encyclopedia. Products such as an English Language self-access course and Word and Excel donated by Edimit were also installed.

The Foundation’s system administrator provided software and hardware support to the 17 clubs on a regular schedule. This enabled nearly 1000 children stay connected to the world.

The www.vmreja.com website was launched on 1 February 2007 including forum and chat options to enable contacts between the young people and educators from the 17 homes. 

The market value of the equipment and services involved amounted to 7855 Bulgarian leva.

2008

The internet clubs at the homes were regularly maintained. To cope with the amount of work related to the support for the clubs at the homes, another system administrator was appointed. Donations included: 3 computer configurations for the Municipal Children’s Complex in Plovdiv where regular training sessions for the children from homes Rada Kirkovich, Olga Skobeleva, and Knyaginya Maria-Luiza were held; two configurations to the Maria Terezija home in Stara Zagora, 2 to the St. Nikolay Mirlikiiski home in Blagoevgrad, 3 to the St. Nikolay home for orphans in Novi Han, 3 to the Ludogorie home in Isperih, and 2 to the Ana Gizdova home in Bratsigovo.

The market value of the equipment and services involved amounted to 15 332 Bulgarian leva.

2009

In addition to the training of young people, regular support to the homes’ internet clubs was provided. Current job openings were published on the www.vmreja.com website which young people checked regularly. The company responsible for this initiative and for the regular publications was Jobtiger.

The market value of the equipment and services involved amounted to 7 654 Bulgarian leva.

2010

·         In the beginning of the year, the Managing Board of the Blagotvoritel Foundation agreed to reduce the number of internet clubs supported under the On the Web project in order to make its support more effective and efficient. Ten homes whose administration had proven its commitment to the upkeep of the equipment and had granted full access to the computers were singled out.

·         Microsoft donated to the Blagotvoritel Foundation the following software products through TECH SOUP: Office 2007 Suites, Office 2010 Suites and Apps KMS, Office Professional Plus 2010 MAK, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista – MAK , Windows Vista – KMS , Win 7 – KMS , Win 7 – MAK, Win 7 – KMS, x64 Ed, Windows XP Prof, 32/ x64 Ed. The donated products were to be utilized under the On the Web project to actively support the internet clubs at the following homes: Olga Skobeleva, Rada Kirkovich, and Maria-Luiza in Plovdiv, Assen Zlatarov in Yakoruda, St. Nikolay Mirlikijski in Blagoevgrad, the home in Velingrad, Vassil Petleshkov and Ana Gizdova in Bratsigovo, St. Nikolay in Novi Han, and Lubcho Barumov in Doganovo.