We found Firefly Dupnitsa!
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The completely renovated pediatric ward of the St. Ivan Rilski Hospital in Dupnitsa opened its doors on October 19, 2026. This is the 12th pediatric ward in Bulgaria, completely transformed under the project "Firefly - a hospital that doesn't look like a hospital" of the "For Good" Foundation.
The opening day was special for more than one reason. On October 19, Dupnitsa celebrates the city's holiday, the St. Ivan Rilski Hospital celebrates its patron saint's day, and the medical community celebrates the Day of the Bulgarian Doctor. This year, all these occasions were joined by another one - the opening of a space where children will be able to receive medical care in a more relaxed, welcoming and functional environment.
For us, this is another step towards the big dream of a complete ReDesign of Children's Healthcare in Bulgaria – healthcare in which the child patient is placed at the center of care, and the hospital environment does not create additional fear and anxiety, but supports treatment.
Every year, the pediatric department of the St. Ivan Rilski Hospital welcomes around 700 children. They are cared for by 5 doctors, 8 nurses and 6 orderlies – people who dedicate their efforts to the health of the youngest patients every day.
Before the transformation, the ward needed a complete renovation to meet both the modern requirements for a hospital environment and the needs of the children, their parents, and medical specialists.
The project included 10 patient rooms with a total of 18 beds, an intensive care unit with 2 beds, manipulation rooms, an isolator, a reception area, and the common areas of the ward.
A major renovation was carried out, including restructuring of premises, construction and renovation of sanitary facilities, replacement of flooring, lighting and electrical installation, as well as a complete renovation of the walls and interior.
New medical equipment, hospital beds and furnishings were delivered, and furniture was made to suit the size and purpose of the individual rooms.
But as in every "Firefly", the most important thing is not just how the compartment looks after the renovation, but how the new environment will affect the people who spend time in it.
Every year, the pediatric department of the St. Ivan Rilski Hospital welcomes around 700 children. They are cared for by 5 doctors, 8 nurses and 6 orderlies – people who dedicate their efforts to the health of the youngest patients every day.
Before the transformation, the ward needed a complete renovation to meet both the modern requirements for a hospital environment and the needs of the children, their parents, and medical specialists.
The project included 10 patient rooms with a total of 18 beds, an intensive care unit with 2 beds, manipulation rooms, an isolator, a reception area, and the common areas of the ward.
A major renovation was carried out, including restructuring of premises, construction and renovation of sanitary facilities, replacement of flooring, lighting and electrical installation, as well as a complete renovation of the walls and interior.
New medical equipment, hospital beds and furnishings were delivered, and furniture was made to suit the size and purpose of the individual rooms.
But as in every "Firefly", the most important thing is not just how the compartment looks after the renovation, but how the new environment will affect the people who spend time in it.
„"Firefly" - Dupnitsa is much more than a successfully completed renovation. It is an example of what can happen when a cause stops being "someone's" and becomes a common cause.
The implementation of the project was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of "For Good" Foundation, Rotary Club Dupnitsa, St. Ivan Rilski Hospital, Dupnitsa Municipality, local businesses, hundreds of donors, volunteers and partners.
Particularly important was the role of the Rotary Club of Dupnitsa, which organized a large-scale local donation campaign, mobilized the support of businesses and citizens, collected a significant portion of the necessary funds and assumed a large part of the payments for the implementation of the project.
Thus, gradually, an entire community united around the transformation of the children's ward.
During the opening, Metodi Dimitrov from the Rotary Club of Dupnitsa recalled the beginning of the initiative:
„"When the idea was born almost four years ago, we had a very limited budget and big ambitions. Then the For Good Foundation appeared with their Firefly project - we already had a big and even more ambitious goal in front of us - to transform the pediatric ward from a place that arouses fear and anxiety, into a space of comfort, hope, warmth and security for children."„
He also highlighted the most important result beyond the renovated premises:
„"This project showed something much bigger – the power of a united community. Project Firefly became a reality thanks to NGOs, businesses, schools and citizens walking hand in hand."„
The official opening was also an opportunity to thank the people whose dedication made the transformation possible. During the ceremony Metodi Dimitrov was awarded the distinction „"Silver Firefly"“ for its key role in the initiative.
The hospital's head nurse was also awarded the "Silver Firefly" Elga Negrova, which received the recognition „"Sister Firefly"“.
The head of the pediatric department Dr. Valentina Nikolova was awarded a badge of honor and a diploma from the Regional Medical College - Kyustendil.
A particularly exciting part of the celebration were the performances by the children from vocal group "Smile" at the "Hristo Botev" Primary School in the village of Krainitsi.
The little performers brought a lot of mood and emotion, and in addition to the songs, they also donated their own paintings, which will find a place in the renovated hospital rooms.
A wonderful gesture, with which the children themselves became part of creating a warmer and more welcoming environment for other children.
For us, the greatest reward is always the children's eyes, smiles, curiosity, and first games in new spaces. They remind us why every effort is worth it.
With the opening of the branch in Dupnitsa, the Firefly project now has 12 completely transformed pediatric wards in Bulgaria.
Twelve places where we proved that a children's hospital can look different. That even outdated and dysfunctional spaces can be transformed into a modern, welcoming and well-organized environment for treatment.
But the need for change remains enormous.
More than 10 children's departments in the country have expressed their desire to be part of the project, and in the last ten days alone before the opening in Dupnitsa, we received three new applications.
Our next big project is coming up - the transformation of the children's ward of the "Dr. Tota Venkova" Hospital in Gabrovo.
All of this shows that change cannot and should not depend solely on donation campaigns, the efforts of civil society organizations, and the activity of local communities.
That is why the For Good Foundation continues to insist on the creation of National Firefly Program, which will ensure consistent and phased renovation of children's hospital wards throughout the country.
As we shared during the opening:
„"They ask us how we find the strength to keep going. The answer is on days like this – when we see the smiles and the wide-open eyes. In five years, we have created 12 "Fireflies". We have shown 12 times that it can be different. No child should have to rely on luck to live in a city with active donors to receive treatment in a dignified environment. It is time for the experience of "Fireflies" to become national policy."„
Because good treatment conditions should not be a privilege of individual cities, but a standard for every child in Bulgaria.
To everyone who donated funds, time, labor, materials, expertise, or simply believed that this change was possible – thank you!
To the Rotary Club of Dupnitsa, to the management and team of the St. Ivan Rilski Hospital, to the Municipality of Dupnitsa, to the local businesses, to the schools, to the donors, to the volunteers and to the partners – we thank you for your trust, perseverance and common efforts.
Without all of you, the For Good Foundation would be just a small team of people with a big dream.
Thanks to you, this dream now has another address.
Our happy "Firefly" - Dupnitsa!
We continue. Because every child deserves a hospital that doesn't look like a hospital.
For Good Foundation
Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria) EAD
BIC code: UBBSBGSF
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