Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

Transcript of the speech at the 37^th Belgrade Ignite, called ‘Get Involved No 4’ (25 October 2016, Impact Hub, Belgrade)

When people ask me what GRUBB means to me, I tell them that it is my second home.

My name is Silvia Sinani and I am 19 years old. At the GRUBB centre, I hold educational and dance workshops. I help children to fulfil their dreams, just as I have fulfilled mine. Now I am standing before you as a proud member of Roma people. I have finished secondary school and I help new generations to do well at school and expand their horizons; I try to share with them the valuable experience I have gained since I have joined the GRUBB family.

Because this is exactly what GRUBB is about: the feeling of belonging here, of being important, of having somebody to rely on, to ask help from, to grow, develop your talents and acquire new skills!

I was only 16 years old when I became a part of this show, which has helped me to get to know myself, as well as to realize what I want to be in my life. And so, at age 16, I was given a chance to be a part of a great musical called the GRUBB Show, which combines traditional Roma and modern hip-hop music to tell a unique story about our life, our customs and our daily struggle against the prejudices we are facing everywhere we go.

I did not just become a member of the musical’s A-team, I also went on a tour of Canada, which lasted a full month! Can you imagine: a month across the Atlantic, without mum and dad, without my sisters. “But I am a big girl”, that’s what I used to tell myself. And an important person. I didn’t go on the stage only as Silvia, but as a Roma girl, representing all of us. And, you know, people get carried away by all that. Grand theatres, the media, the scene, costumes, makeup – a big mix-up in my head. I immediately had a reality check: in the dress rehearsal, right before the premiere, the director brought me back from the clouds to reality, because I was talking when I was supposed to keep quiet and listen; I was nearly removed from the team! Because rules are there to be followed, while discipline is not something that Roma people excel in – it is in our nature to resist rules and to be spirited and talkative.

However, we can also be mature, responsible and committed! That is how the books “GRUBB Stories 1” and “GRUBB Stories 2” came to be written in our creative writing workshops. And they were written by us, Roma. They have been translated into English, French and German, so that our voice can be heard beyond the boundaries of our country. The books are illustrated with our photos and they are truly unique in the world. I am telling you, we can do so many things! (…)

And that is who we are – GRUBB, Roma people who are educated, successful and ready to share their culture and customs with you.

And this is me – Silvia Sinani, happy to be living my dream and helping Roma children to win their freedom through education and art.