"I am still not free from prejudice"

From March 21 to 24, another Roma consultation of The United Methodist Church took place in Budapest. Twelve people from six countries exchanged views on practical and organizational issues relating to their work.
 
Different countries, same challenges - this is how the meeting of the Roma consultation could be summarized. Work with Roma is not recognized in East Central Europe and the Balkans. People who work for and with this marginalized group are often treated disparagingly by society. This makes it all the more important for them to exchange ideas with each other.
 
Prejudices are difficult to overcome
The prejudice that Roma are lazy, uneducated, and criminal still persists. Zoltan Kurdi, a pastor from Hungary, came into contact with Roma as a child. Even after such a long journey together, he still finds himself adopting the negative stereotypes of those around him: "I'm still not free of prejudice and I'm still learning." Unfortunately, teenage pregnancies, girls who are married off early and alcoholism are common among the Roma. Zoltan Kurdi has to remind himself why this is the case. Roma often live on the margins of society, do not always have the opportunity to go to school - and when they do, they often fail. Without an education, they often end up in unprestigious jobs or slip into crime. Roma rarely hold political office. What is invisible is often unthinkable.
 
The same, only different
The Roma consultation was primarily about exchanging ideas. The participants, including two Roma women, talked about their work and needs. Hearing that problems in other countries are the same or similar helped to put their own efforts into perspective. And it helped to give concrete advice. The meeting offered many opportunities to learn from each other: during interviews or in the intervision, everyone could be heard, and it was easier to ask questions and discuss.
 
Out onto the "field"
The participants not only talked to each other about their work, but also visited a school for Roma children in Tatabánya, near Budapest, to talk to the principal about their successes. As the pupils are predominantly Roma, they achieve better results here than at any other school. Often the parents themselves can neither read nor write. This is another reason why Roma children have poorer starting opportunities at other schools. Failure also robs them of the motivation to continue. Many drop out of school. They are more motivated at this Roma school, partly because it is an all-day school: the children receive homework help and can concentrate better on learning.
Later, the group attended a worship service organized by the Roma community. It was a very lively celebration with lots of music and a cheerful atmosphere. People came in and out, giving the impression that they were visiting friends.
 
A Roma voice
The consultation was primarily intended for those who work with Roma. Nevertheless, Roma themselves also had their say: Anita Raffael came into contact with The United Methodist Church at an early age. Her faith helped her to see herself as just as valuable as her fellow Hungarians. As a result, she was able to finish school and was accepted to study at Nazarene College (https://www.eunc.edu/) just as the consultation was taking place. She has a specific request: "I want God to open everyone's eyes so that they can see our reality."
 
Author: Danka Bogdanovic
 
 
Who are the Roma?
Around 12 million Roma live in Europe - most of them in Eastern Central Europe and the Balkans. Even though the majority of them are settled, their social integration has failed in many places. Roma are discriminated against and face prejudice as well as verbal and physical violence. They also struggle with other problems: Unemployment, lack of education, poverty, poor nutrition, and lack of medical care. The United Methodist Church began working with Roma in this region over 50 years ago and is committed to improving their living conditions - despite social resistance. In many places, congregations and house groups have been established that consist mainly or exclusively of Roma. Social projects such as school support, scholarships and reading and writing courses for adults have been implemented.
Help for self-help is also provided in the form of seeds, fruit trees and livestock. The people receive further help in integrating into the labor market through state work programs, access to health services and family counseling, as well as emergency aid (food packages, medical aid, firewood).
---------------------------------------------------------------------
April 8 is International Romani Day - a global day of action to draw attention to the situation of the Roma, in particular their discrimination and persecution, and at the same time to celebrate the culture of this ethnic minority. (Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Romani_Day)