Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

Author: Tafilj Dubova (Social Inclusion Blog)

I grew up on Kosovo. My sister and I were left without a mother at a very young age, living with our grandma and grandpa. While other kids attended school, my sister and I had to work. My sister helped grandma with household chores, while I took care of the cows. I would listen to other children talk of their time in school, of the things they learned. I wanted to go to school, but could not. I felt helpless. There was no one in the family I could confide in.

One day I went to see the Roma representative in charge of enrolling children in school, providing equipment, books, etc. I told him of my situation. He helped me enrol in school, although grandpa complained. Later, I helped my sister enrol. Together, we completed the first four grades.

I will never forget one hurtful event that happened immediately in first grade. Our teacher came to school one morning and told all the students that someone in the class stole 500 dinars from her purse the day before. During the big break one of her colleagues came to the class. She explained that she would find the thief by going student to student, making a special sound with her mouth. The student that the sound stopped at was the thief. The sound stopped when she reached the bench my sister and I sat in. I remember how ashamed I was. Although my sister and I did not steal the money, I wanted to run from the classroom. I felt helpless and frightened. I tried, but failed to explain that we are not guilty.

The children from the class called us “GYPSIES WHO STEAL MONEY AND GOLD”. The theft was soon known throughout the school. Everyone called us “Gypsies who steal money and gold” and none of the children in the school wanted to hang out with us. It was very hard, but we did not want to give up. (…)

I came to Belgrade in 2008. I could not enrol in a regular school, enrolling instead in the night school “Branko Pešić”. In six months I passed another four grades and finally managed to complete primary school. After that, I enrolled in the “Petar Leković” secondary school, where I was the student of the generation. I have also completed extraordinary courses for two professions at the Catering-Tourism School: Cook and Culinary Technician. During secondary school I helped children to learn. I realized that I like working with children, and it is something that fulfils me, and thus I have enrolled at the Faculty for Special Education and Rehabilitation. I want to get the best education possible, to be able to continue helping children from vulnerable groups and provide them with the best quality support. I want to tell them my story and give them hope for success.

The text in its entirety can be found on the Social Inclusion Blog.