How our educational support is transforming Roma communities

Searching for scraps to survive

From a young age, 13-year-old Nicoleta learned to work hard and help her family. Every day, her parents would go to the nearby town’s landfill and sift through the rubbish for plastic, metal, and anything else recyclable that they could sell.

Nicoleta and her siblings would sometimes go with them. Their breakfast and lunch would be whatever scraps they could find in the rubbish heap. Their clothes were dirty, and they often missed school.

Nicoleta lives in a Roma community in the village of Danes in Romania, where there is high unemployment, few amenities and a lack of transport links. The lack of public services and opportunities entrenches poverty and makes the future look hopeless.

Education to help break the cycle of poverty

Poverty often leads to children to dropping out of school early, especially in Roma communities, where children often attend poorer quality schools or feel pressure to help support their families.

Mission Without Borders is working hard to provide educational support to children in Roma communities to help break the cycle of poverty. An extra year of school can increase men’s income by at least 10% and women’s by at least 20%.

When Nicoleta was first enrolled on our child sponsorship programme, she was insecure and withdrawn. She began attending our after school club, where she enjoyed a healthy meal every day and received help with her homework. The children are also taught important life skills and give space to play and have fun.

A few years later, Nicoleta is now articulate, confident and happy – with a big dream for the future. 

Preventing school drop-out

In Romania, over 80% of out-of-school children are Roma and at least 18% of Roma children are uneducated.

Teachers often reinforce low expectations of Roma children, particularly girls, but in Danes they can see the impact that has been made through the child sponsorship programme.

The head of Nicoleta’s school in Danes said, “Nicoleta and her siblings are all praised by their teachers for their good manners and the effort they put into their schoolwork.

“The after school programme is a great tool in helping families in our community. Without it, we’ve estimated that about 70% of the children would never go to school or would drop out in at early stage, especially the boys, who are expected to provide for their families.”  

Join us in breaking the cycle of poverty by helping us provide vital educational support – sponsor a child today.