"Hi Valeria,

I hope you are well, yourself and your family.

I haven't said anything to answer this email, because every time I open it, words crowd up in my head and I can't pick and choose.

Do I thank you! Do I celebrate in joy!

So I have decided to fully open the faucet.

I am overjoyed, but not just because of the court's decision, but for the whole past 3 years, I'd thank you but.. I can hear your voice in my head, saying "don't thank me, thank god", and believe me, I do thank god, because I was blessed with having known you.

During the last meeting, you said that you have two roles to play concerning me, which is perhaps a hard task, I understand, but .. your absolute role to me is being someone I look up to, learn from, and ...fully respect.

Some people pay for a teacher, others climb mountains to find one, but thank god I was simply blessed with a great one.

I shared with a dear friend, the transition, during those 1st days of "meeting a lawyer named Valeria",.... to my eyes getting wide open to the reality, and I think it's worth being written and published! And I will tell you my side of the story one day, maybe you'll enjoy it.

Yet still, we say "He who thanks not the people, thanks not God", so ..

Thank you!

Sincerely,"

Email from a beneficiary - 18 October 2021

"Hello, D. writes to you. First, I would like to congratulate you on the World Refugee Day and give you a poem of mine, inspired by the days spent together, as well as a photo that reminded me of you, to which I would put the following title: "No human is illegal. And we are all human!"!  Be healthy and all that inspiring!  "- DD, participant in the training program of FAR in 2021.

DD, participant in the training program of FAR in 2021.

PILAR, A TRAINEE AT FAR

 „Hello, Mrs. Valeria. I hope that the arrival of this humble letter finds you in good health and harmony with your dear family, I also wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with your family and your work team. You deserve great respect and recognition from everyone because you do a lot for others. Thank you very much, God bless you. Yours, H.E.“ 

Post Card, H.E

“Priviet/hello! I discovered your work and read your advice/guide in excellent French for refugees/asylum seekers in Bulgaria. Thank you for your work, for the hope you give to people.(…)” -  message via Facebook, 2016

Message via Facebook

“We do not feel isolated. We are often in the same situation and the info is really useful in order to not miss our procedure and to have our rights.” participant in a FAR information session for asylum seekers, 2015.

Participant in a FAR information session for asylum seekers

„It is during this session that I realize that I have so many rights and advantages that can make my life better. I am grateful. I hope that more such sessions could be organized.”- participant in a FAR information session, 2015.

Participant in a FAR information session

“The course has been wonderful and comprehensive. The topics were definitely very interesting, presented in the best way, and helped me a lot to understand the subject. Of all the topics that were presented, there were none that did not arouse my interest and desire to prepare. I am extremely excited about our upcoming practical work and the chance to develop the knowledge gained so far. I owe a big THANK YOU to the whole team!” – D.D, participant in the DEFEND training, 2020

D.D, participant in the DEFEND training

“The Foundation for Access to Rights (FAR) does not only provide a helping hand, but it is often the last hope for many vulnerable persons who are in need of effective protection of their rights. As an intern in FAR I am deeply inspired by both the cause to which the Foundation is dedicated, namely the promotion of social justice, and by the team itself as it consists of extremely dedicated and highly qualified specialists and it is more than a pleasure to work with them!” – Boyanka, intern at FAR, 2020

Boyanka, intern at FAR

"Good afternoon ... I have asylum thanks to you. And I would like to thank Mrs Valeria. And I wish her health and wellness. Because she is the highest class and a great human being. (...) Thank you!"- message from a refugee, 2015.

Message from a refugee

"Thank you very much for the whole course of training, for me everything was useful, accurate, clearly stated, without unnecessary information." - participant in a training for lawyers, 2018.

Participant in a training for lawyers

“I should have written to you a long time ago to express my infinite gratitude for your attention and the time you have taken for me and for the great humanity that I felt in your work. I am really glad that I met you. ”- T.D., 2016

T.D.

"The course is interesting, the lectures are presented in an accessible way and predispose us to ask questions. Each piece of information is supported by examples from the professional experience of the lecturers, as well as by interesting facts or explanatory situations. The organizers of the course are friendly and amicable, ready to answer any question. I am extremely glad that I was among the approved candidates and that during the summer I managed to learn so many new, interesting and useful things.”- participant in the DEFEND training, 2020.

Participant in the DEFEND training