July 24, 2020 - Grew up in SOS Dječje Selo Lekenik, now proud owner of the Hermann Gmeiner Award, a global award for successful ones who have inspired us with their accomplishments and contributions to society. Meet Kristina Ivanuš.

This 21-year-old marketing and communication student once was in the hands of SOS Children's Village. Kristina arrived in Lekenik with just four years, while her sister was eight. From her words, she had an ordinary childhood playing violin, volleyball, and attending acting classes. But her life turned upside down when peripheral nerve disease hit her at the age of six. She wanted to become a cook, but due to her illness, she couldn't stand on her legs for too long. That was the reason why she enrolled in the high school of the economy in Velika Gorica.

When she turned 16 and tried diving for the first time as a kind of therapy, her illness slowly withdrew. Since then, Kristina is very active in raising awareness of the need to preserve the seabed. "Just as diving and nature have helped me heal, I'm now helping nature heal and overcome pollution," said Kristina in HG Award 2020 Finalist video.

Besides diving, she's also in love with underwater photography. Behind her are piles of medals and many visits to SOS Children's Villages, where she talks about her life and success. The children, knowing Kristina was one of them, are listening to every word, which brings them to hope back.

Educators from SOS Children's village applied Kristina to the competition because she overcame the disease and managed to achieve a lot in life. "They wanted to show that we, the children from the SOS village, can do the same," she said.