Hardly…
But four years of intensive work of our Maria Romero College have shown us that it can be done. We have our first high school graduate! And having education means a chance for landing a job.
The College is for girls who have the personality traits and desire to grow, but in a marginalized community, their chances of success are low. If their parents start working with us and entrust them
to us, the girls' lives will begin to change.
The college is a boarding school with intensive support and accompaniment. The girls can find there not only peaceful environment to learn for school (which is not common in marginalized communities), but also a motivating community, an opportunity to develop their talents, and learn to care for themselves and others. Girls living in the Collegium often catch up on what children normally learn in the family – health education and preventive check-ups, travelling by public transport, basic household and garden care skills, etiquette…
This work is covered by Salesian sisters who have had many years of experience working with Roma and accompanying young people.
Who will we help?
The Collegium started in September 2020 in a small apartment in Košice by Sr. Zuzka and a university student Zuzka. The first three Roma girls and their parents were very satisfied and the interest in this type of help increased. The College moved to a rented house in Prešov. Inschool year 2023/24, 5 girls from Luník 9, two Slovak college girls and two Salesian sisters are living there. The college girls not only help their younger friends to study for school and are a strong motivation for them, but they also appreciate the mutual cultural enrichment of Roma and Slovaks.
We invite you to peek inside the College thanks to the RTVS report
(available subtitles: italian, spanish, german, japanese, french)
What results do we see?
The girls' vocabulary in Slovak has doubled, on the other hand Slovak girls have learned some Romani. Roma girls have no problem getting things done in different institutions and they understand formal language more.
Improved health through hygiene and a regular balanced diet.
In cooperation with the girls' parents, the monitoring of the girls' health status has improved, and the parents have also visited specialist doctors together with the girls. Four girls have had their teeth fixed – all of them saw a dentist for the first time at the College.
Continued school attendance with good results.
We consider this a significant thing in an environment where under-age pregnancy and leaving education after the compulsory 10-year-school attendance is common.
Improving financial literacy and learning how to run a household in a profitable way
For example, furniture is not bought every month when it is not being destroyed by constant moving, ungentle and aggressive handling or burning. When we have a place to store food, we do
not throw it away. Cooking is more time-consuming, but less expensive than ordering food…
Taking an active approach to life – from being aware of how much I have been given, being grateful, thinking about what to do to live with more dignity than my parents up to taking concrete action.
Breaking down the prejudice of the Slovaks
For example, our neighbours have witnessed that Roma go to school, throw out garbage, do not steal. Slovak classmates found out that you can talk to Roma women just like you talk to everyone
else. The ticket collectors found out that there are Roma who always buy tickets for public transport. When it comes to Roma, it is for example that not all Slovaks make gratuitous remarks against the
Roma nationality. In shop or at the dentist they talk to them the same way they do to Slovaks. Not all Slovaks are interested in the colour of their skin…
A life of regular prayer
Improvement of emotional regulation and acquisition of new tools for solving difficulties and conflicts. Increasing resilience and frustration tolerance.
What do we need?
For the long-term functioning of the Maria Romero College, we need to buy a house to give the work the stability it needs. After 4 years we can see that the idea of the College is working and there is
interest in this type of help. It may seem just a drop in the ocean. However, we hope that gradually, through the students, their families will begin to change and give a good example and hope to
others.
What exactly will the money from this campaign be used for?
We have looked up a house in Prešov that is big enough. It is available for sale and close to the Salesian Youth Centre which we cooperate with. We are in the process of preparing a sale and
purchase agreement. We need to buy it this summer so that we can start the new school year on our own. We will be able to take up to 10 Roma female students to this house and give them a chance
for a better life.
The price of the house is very high for us. If you like the idea of Maria Romero College, please SUPPORT us with a financial donation and/or prayer. Tell your friends about us, make a donation appeal, share us on social media.
