Friday, 18. 11. 2011

Noble person 2011

Nada Verbič, the head teacher of Ljubljana kindergarten Jelka has been selected as ‘Noble Person 2011’ in this year’s ‘Open-armed people’ campaign.

For the 18th consecutive year, in May this year ‘Naša žena’ (‘Our Wife’) magazine launched a competition to gather nominations for ‘people with open arms’. From among the many suggestions that flooded into the editorial office, 24 individuals and groups were chosen to receive certificates of gratitude at a gala event at the National Gallery on Wednesday 16 November 2011. The Benefactor, Donor, Outstanding Personality and Noble Person of 2011 also received a gold badge – a reproduction of ornamental bird pins in flight from the 5th century found in Ajdna nad Potoki, which by permission of the Gorenjska Museum is also the protected emblem of the ‘People with open arms’ campaign.

The certificates of gratitude were presented by Dr Ivan Svetlik, Minister of Labour, Family and Social Affairs and Marta Krpič, Editor in Chief of Naša žena.

As ‘Benefactor 2011’, the commission selected Danica Ozimic from Mežica, President of the Sožitje (‘Coexistence’) Society and the mother of a child with developmental problems; as ‘Donor 2011’ they chose Novalija Muminović from Šoštanj, entrepreneur, charitable cause addict, who at his own expense built a bridge in Paška vas near Šmartno ob Paki and donated it to the nation; ‘Outstanding Personality 2011’ went to Majda Struc from Maribor, General Secretary of the Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth, who has been an Association volunteer since she was 20 and is dedicated to children so that all would have decent lives and equal opportunities.

From among all of the nominees the readers of Naša žena chose the ‘Noble Person 2011’. The majority of votes went to Nada Verbič, professor of social pedagogy, a strong supporter of children and their parents, a professionally extremely well-versed head teacher of Ljubljana’s Jelka kindergarten with a warm heart and golden arms who is always ready to help.

Naša žena magazine began its showcase of people whose life motto is the selfless care for others in 1994. In the subsequent 18 years its supplement ‘People with open arms’ has brought to the fore about 600 individuals or groups who work in diverse humanitarian or charitable projects, carry our various good works, give money from their own pockets to help people in contact with or who know how to inspire others, so that people gather together to aid them by working together. In short, to do or make whatever is needed for all those that would otherwise be helpless or needy to make life better at least for the present moment. The ‘People with open arms’ campaign promotes solidarity between people and shows that there are many people in Slovenia that have open arms and hearts and many people who appreciate their efforts.