For more than 30 years, SOS Children's Villages give Hermann Gmeiner award to young heroes, people who in spite of their harsh life stories stand out in some area of their lives and as such provide an excellent role model to other youth all over the world. Among 60 nominees, women and men, this year Kristina Ivanuš has been recognized as an extraordinary young woman who uses her example to contribute to the well-being of others and the community. In men's category, the first place was shared by Lucia Mustata from Romania and Gebre-Egziabher Gebre from Ethiopia.

Each and every one of us needs a model to lead us to our way to independence. Kristina had a hard time finding one ever since she was just a little girl. She grew up in SOS Children's Village Lekenik and when she was only six years old she found out that she had a rare muscle disease. With the help and support of SOS mother, SOS aunt and many other employees of SOS Children's Village Croatia, she managed to overcome her disease. And scuba diving helped immensely.

After having spent her childhood in various medical treatments, Kristina fell in love with the underwater world. Thanks to our long-term partners, Diving Club „Roniti se mora“, Kristina engaged in diving and underwater modeling. Today, four years later, she cannot imagine her life without it. In addition to studying management, Kristina is regularly attending all the trainings and preparing to be a diving instructor.

Last but not least, Kika actively participates in sea cleanup activites. She is happily in love, and plans to soon move her life from Zagreb to the Adriatic Coast, to Sv.Filip i Jakov. And on that path we will continue to follow and support her. Good luck, Kika!