Interacting for Charity

Standing up for others and philanthropy are deeply rooted in the American College of Sofia. Many students choose to focus their energy in their free time on charity, and one of the most prominent clubs with such a mission at ACS is Interact.

The 2020-2021 school year was challenging when it came to both academics and extracurriculars and many clubs had to rethink and adapt their activities according to the epidemiological situation. Interact Club managed to overcome the challenges and implemented 4 significant projects.

On the occasion of the Christmas holidays at the end of 2020, the students from the club donated a washing machine, detergents and chocolate treats to the children from the “Slunchitse” home near Pavlikeni. The children received their gifts together with handmade Christmas cards.

March 3 is traditionally celebrated spectacularly at the College. This year, too, even in the midst of rotation-based learning, the students from the Interact Club contributed to the celebration by honoring the memory of the Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski with posters in all academic buildings.

On the occasion of March 8, club members joined Rotaract Bulgaria’s “Flowers in Hand against Reproductive Problems” initiative. Held in 11 Bulgarian cities simultaneously on March 7th and 8th, the campaign aimed to inform the public about reproductive issues and raise funds to support couples facing such challenges. During the initiative everyone who donated a minimum amount of BGN 5 received a flower as a token of gratitude. With the joint efforts of all participants, the funds raised amounted to BGN 27,429.72.

At the end of the school year and on their own initiative, the students from Interact supported the National Center for Public Health and Analysis (NCPHA). In April and May, students clocked in nearly 80 of voluntary labor in electromagnetic field measurements data entry. The consolidation of data from 284 base stations brought the center closer to its goal of providing the general public with detailed and meaningful information about EMF sources in Bulgaria. Although the biggest reward for voluntary work is the help itself, the students received a letter of gratitude from the Director of NCPHA Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hristo Hinkov, DM.

We congratulate the leaders of Interact and rising seniors Andrea Kalcheva (president) and Veronica Shalamanova (vice president), as well as their supporters from the student community at the College and we can't wait to learn about the upcoming projects of the club next school year.