15Apr

Nominees

Gypsy Spirit 2011

 

Nominees

I. NGO

• ROMA LEVICE - IPC (information and advisory centre), Levice

The ROMA LEVICE-IPC civic association has been carrying out its activities to the benefit of socially disadvantaged people for almost ten years. IPC’s free services in the field of social counselling and social prevention does not only serve the Roma community, but everyone who for personal, business or family reasons, needs professional help. The centre provides free social services and focuses on the creation of new forms and methods of social work featuring the greater public - for example 'suburban social work'. In addition to social work and charitable activities the centre annually organises events focused on Roma cultural heritage, creating bridges between the majority and the minority, and creates conditions for mutual respect.

• Klub SPOLU, DETVA, Marie Olahová

This community centre in Detva hosts free time activities, interesting clubs for children and adults, advisory services and support for people in need of urgent help and aid in specific situations in their difficult lives.  In addition to direct assistance and prevention, these activities have managed to boost effective cooperation on the part of the city with the Roma community, is involved in activities carried out several players from the city and has improved cleanliness and order, for example - but not only in the said part of town.

• LAČHO DROM Civic Association, Kokava nad Rimavicou, Vladimír Sendrei

The Láčho drom Civic Association has been active in Kokava Rimavicou for over ten years. From advisory services for the underprivileged its scope was extended to encompass community work. The Láčho Drom Civic Association was nominated for the ‘Mobilise communities to improve the quality of life and support employment’ project through which it managed to employ more than 30 unemployed Roma from villages in the district of Poltár. Other Roma were trained by the association to work on reconstruction and building their own housing which was implemented as part of the activation work In addition, the People Without Work project trained people in dealing with the family budget and the basic steps in completing the formalities with the authorities and so on. About 2000 unemployed people in the affected towns and villages were indirectly or indirectly involved in the project.

II. The corporate award:

• The SPP Foundation

Implemented since 2002, innovative projects that have Slovakia-wide impact and tangible results and change the quality of life of people who are disadvantaged and need help. Nominees include the alternative Young Roma Artist Education Fund implemented by the Láčho drom civic association  and designed to motivate Roma students into going on to further education. The project is implemented with the help of Roma teachers and volunteers, and seeks to further educate Roma children with musical talent. About 100 students undergo the program every year. The SPP Foundation is currently supporting the Step by Step project - which aims to improve the educational success of socially disadvantaged children through training and individual tutoring.

• US Steel, s. r. o. Košice

U.S. Steel Ltd. permanently and sustainably employs dozens of staff from within segregated Roma settlements. It should be noted that a few years after the start of the project, the majority of Roma employees moved into rental apartments in Košice. Their presence in U.S. Steel is accompanied by supportive measures such as mentoring, coaching and so on. The goal is definitely "extricating" employees and their families from the environment and the culture of poverty and benefits, which relate to lifestyle, housing, opportunities for the children and youth of these families. This project, which is within the EC perceived as "best practices" is a meaningful and authentic example of affirmative action

• The Orange foundation, Bratislava

The Orange Foundation is nominated for diverse, comprehensive and targeted activities for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.Specifically for example for long-term partnership and support for the Roma Institute in promoting the education of Roma children in the Big Brother, Big Sister Scholarship Fund. The program selectively supports gifted Roma children in education and uses a method of tutoring, volunteer-based participation in an individual child's development and specifically the elements of intercultural and inter-cultural dialogue, thanks to the involvement of volunteers from among university students.

III. Extra curricula education activities:

• Rehoľa Congregatio Jesu, sr Silvia Zábavová  a jej spolusestry, Jarovnice

Since 2007 sister Silvia Zábavová and her Sisters have worked during the summer holidays in the field in the village Jarovnice, which is the largest Roma settlement in Central Europe - looking after children of preschool and school ages, youngsters up to the age of 25 , visiting families and contacting Roma people of all ages.  The spectrum of their activities wide: multiple-educational, counselling, adjustment programs targeted at families, the young and the unemployed,  social exclusion and human trafficking prevention. The ambition is to expand the operations in the village to all year-round and focus in addition on teaching children and the organization of courses, lectures and meaningful use of leisure time.

• Divadlo z chatrče (Slum theatre), ETP Community Centre, Irma Horváthová - Slum theatre head, Moldava nad Bodvou

This theatre for young Roma from Roma settlements in Moldava nad Bodvou now surpasses several disparate limits and prejudices. Although considered an ‘amateur’ theatre, the theatre performers which puts on plays without any experience with "real" theatre, carries a strong emotional charge and a message as equally understandable and prosperous to minorities as the majority. The theatre plays on its own life on the edge, fighting prejudice and xenophobia, both in relation to the actors themselves - visibly helping to increase confidence and inner fulfilment that are the first steps on the road to integration

• KARI - Regional Association of Roma Initiatives, Banská Bystrica

This civil association was created in cooperation with the government, municipalities and civic associations. The aim of the initiative is the coordinated and joint resolution of problems faced by the marginalised Roma community in the Banska Bystrica region. In the category of extra-curricular educational activities, the Association is nominated for the Mentoring and tutoring of first and second grade Roma primary school 2009-2011 pupils project. The said project set out on the role of helping Roma children to get used to new environments, confront negative behaviour and attitudes, raise self-esteem and encourage the achievement of the objectives in the learning process

IV. Individual award

• Anna Ferkaninová - Nižný Konárik mayor

Mayor Anna Ferkaninová, who leads "her" village on the Polish-Slovak border is in her third term in office. One third of the population of the village of Nižný Komárnik is Roma. In more than a decade, the mayor has managed to implement the introduction of electricity and drinking water to the original slums, the subsequent destruction of settlements and the construction of municipal housing to a lower standard with its own sewage treatment plant, the construction of a bridge, access roads to new buildings and the planting of greenery and landscaping in front of the newly constructed houses. The Roma mayor motivates and mobilises the community into self-help work, retraining and civic engagement. Thanks to her authority and influence in the village there has been no theft, absenteeism or abuse of social benefits under her influence.

• František Gall, Drienovská Nová Ves, nominated for spontaneous work and help for the Roma community with comprehensive integration in the civil community and the "discovery" and "tutoring" of the Sabrosa girl group.

Mr František Gall is known to the public primarily as the discoverer, protector and confidant of the now popular Sabrosa girl group. Moreover, he is the man who gave and gives the chance to work to Roma people from local villages in the construction industry. Moreover, he is the man who gave and gives the chance to work to Roma people from local villages in the construction industry. Without any institutional support he came, approached them, encouraged them, taught them and bought them the necessary equipment and work wear. With this act he made it possible and still makes it possible - without any self presentation - for several dozens of settlements inhabitants to have dignified and more fulfilling personal and family life.

• Helena and Ivan Akimov  Kezmarsky voice Kežmarok civic association

The Akimovs, in terms of family and personal funds have for several years worked exclusively with Roma children and youth in the presentation of traditional Roma culture, song and dance, thereby positively affecting the life and predisposition of children towards the acquisition of skills, experience and experience applicable in their future personal and social lives. The Akimovs are a role model for children. Despite the limited conditions and financial limits they have demonstrated the talents and tenacity of ‘their’ children regularly not only in the Slovak environment, but also in other European Union countries.

V. ACTIVITY OF THE YEAR

• Ladislav Žilecký, director of the Jakubovany infant and primary school

Mr Ladislav Žilecký, director of the "mixed" non-Roma and Roma-School has long and whole –heartedly been involved and committed to improving the educational process, real mutual respect for Roma and non-Roma pupils and the effective integration of Roma children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition to creating a new, unique teaching book, music studio and allowing Roma school students to continue their studies in selected fields, he is also nominated for the provision of an incentive grant from the Embassy of Taiwan for the next school year for Roma students with the best academic results.

• Jarmila Vaňová, Roma Media Centre (MECEM), Košice

In addition to continuous media work in favour of the Roma community Mrs. Jarmila Vaňová is also nominated for work that would withstand the adjective "mediatory. When shooting reports in the Roma settlement in the village Bidovce, she managed to literally get the mayor and the local Roma to agree in front of the camera in terms of the provision of materials and securing the work that was needed for the introduction of water for approximately 150 people in the settlement. The mutual promise was fulfilled in front of viewers - water was introduced - not only thanks to the goodwill on both sides, but chiefly due to media exposure and the talents of Mrs. Jarmila Vaňová..

• PaeDr. Andrea Vaľková, Nižný Tvarožec 

The mother of one year old twins and teacher Dr. Andrea Vaľková is nominated for her selfless and all-round assistance to children in the local Roma settlement. Specifically for the care of seven children with severe skin disease who she attended to on a daily basis, treated and covered medication and travel costs (due to the disastrous financial and social situation of the parents) from own resources. The disease required daily washing, interlacing and greasing the head of the child -  Mr Vaľková managed all this despite her fresh double maternal obligations!

VI. Media:

• Peter Kubínyi, Bratislava

Peter Kubínyi is an exceptional journalist who selectively and truly investigativly (in several books and dozens of newspaper and magazine articles) maps the real, everyday life, problems and wild beauty of Roma from segregated, socially excluded environments. It should be noted that in terms of current affairs "Roma" themes, he has dealt these matters for decades, i.e. long before it became "mainstream"... His view of the "product" is not characterised by romantic sentiment or intellectual, or artistic leniency. On the contrary, he does not avoid the description and display of the worst possible living conditions, reports of literally "godforsaken place", nor does he paint the Roma as victims or as perpetrators. His views are realistic, tough, and no rose tinted glasses are used. Yet (just because?) the results bring a multicoloured, fascinating and extremely proud image as a reflection of the diversity of Roma life.

• Andrej Bán, Bratislava  

Andrej Bán is a great investigative reporter and a brilliant photographer. With his coverage of excluded Roma communities he has established himself in the Slovak and Czech media environment even in times when the Roma issue and "card" were not used by media or popular - but on the contrary ... he has aroused controversial reactions, including those openly racist. It is said that Andrej Bán has persevered and managed to get on the side of mainstream press photography which brings about real testimony of the hard everyday life of the Roma. He hasn’t convinced the convinced – to the contrary: with his photos he can draw interest, and emotionally draw in and silence, or be indifferent to the majority population. Take his beautiful photos of Roma children - which have become well known and already look beyond appearances into the golden fund of Slovak photography

• Janette Maziniová, Bratislava

Janette Maziniová the original publicist, who in her blog openly, directly and honestly discloses personal "messages" relating to complex problems and dealing with Roma issues. Her highly subjective and fascinating, often autobiographical insight is invaluable and especially beneficial in terms of overcoming stereotypes, barriers and prejudices of the majority towards the lifestyle and values ​​of the Roma minority. The cycle of articles on her own childhood, incidents from the community, the attitudes and philosophy Janette’s mother are for the thousands of potential readers in the best sense "addictive" and memorable..

• Ján and Tatiana Čonky Roma Internet Radio, Bratislava

The Čonkys (without any funding or profit) run an extremely worthwhile venture – their own Roma Internet radio station, presenting, promoting and systemising Roma music (currently 102 bands from Slovakia and Czech Republic) In addition, they strongly support Roma traditions, language, self-identification ... Their current radio ratings are about 3000 to 5000 students daily. It should be noted that the creator’s bold, but not an unrealistic ambition in ten years was to develop into a worldwide Internet radio station under the auspices of his own slogan: "May the good in our blood persist!"

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1. NGO award for the implementation of a specific project focused on the support and development of the Roma minority and results achieved thereby

NOS-OSF – for continual and long term activities to the advantage of the Roma minority in Slovakia, specifically for health improvement and healthcare approach programs in selected Roma communities in Slovakia, especially regarding health support for Roma women. The support of talented high school students of Roma origin. Specifics include the preparation of Roma high school graduates for post graduate studies which can be assessed as extremely motivating and representing the current context for modern European politics.

Project Scholarship program for Roma students in secondary schools and universities
The project enables students to complete their education, which creates conditions for the application of the Roma in the practice and create positive models for other young people. That contributes to an overall increase in educational level of the Roma and to the strengthening of the Roma intelligentsia in Slovakia. These people are then able to assume the responsibility to participate in solving social problems in Slovakia in the future.
"During its existence the project has supported a number of students who have successfully completed secondary and academic education and asserted themselves in practice. These students after completion of the study are actively involved in work for the benefit of the Roma ethnic, multicultural education, protection of minority rights, work with the Roma community in the field, in education and health. "

Project multicultural education in school; how to respond to cultural diversity
Our main objective was to encourage institutions (NGOs, government and public sector) to the debate on multicultural education (MCE) in the context of the ongoing reform of education in Slovakia, so that its anchorage in the school system could respond to the social and cultural transformation of our country in a conceptual and long-term manner. Specific outcomes of our initiatives are reflected in defining of MCE in the public education program in a publication which offers a comprehensive concept of MCE for the department of Education („Multicultural education in school; how to respond to cultural diversity", Bratislava 2008, ISBN - 978-80-969271-4 - 2). There has been a number of meetings, seminars and discussions in the years 2007 - 2008 before the actual issuance of the publication.
"The final output should be a definition of a segregated and integrated education and a creation of measure tools that would allow this phenomenon to monitor and evaluate in practice."

ETP Slovensko – for complex and highly specialised and authentic work and services for disadvantaged and marginalised groups of inhabitants and the fight against poverty and social exclusion in Slovakia – in certain regards concerning the Roma in segregated settlements. For applying the concept of social mobilisation which provides motivation towards mutual assistance and support, specifically regarding the creation and co-creation of temporary employment opportunities and full time positions.

ETP helps the disadvantaged and marginalized groups, the poorest and the members of ethnic minorities, Roma people from deprived settlements, including the young people to improve their social situation. It promotes job creation, helps to find work, cares of disabled people, including older people, provides education and training of professional skills, helps poor families to secure and improve the housing, it teaches the families to manage their money, increases the availability of non-profit micro-credit to people whom nobody would lend money (except leech)..."

"The work of the ETP is firmly based on its comprehensive approach to sustainable development and in the belief that it is inefficient to try to address the economic, social and environmental issues separately. ETP focuses its work in disadvantaged communities on social mobilization of individuals by motivation, encouraging, so that they find ways to help themselves and thus to bring additional benefits for the whole community..."

Divé Maky – for individual scholarships supporting talented Roma children and youngsters living in complicated social nexuses via individual donations. For the uniqueness, innovation, sophistication of the given system and the results achieved, for the elimination of social prejudice and myths regarding the Roma community and for the practical and humanitarian application of children's rights to education and a fully fledged life.
""Wild poppies" aim to find and promote talented Roma children from socially deprived families. Financial support for participating children works on the basis of individual donations, the administration of the association is funded through partners and grants. Support for children consists of two main lines - financial support from the donor in form of scholarship and intensive assistance in education (tutoring). This means that every child in the program has a donor who financially supports him as well as an assigned tutor who supports him throughout the school year. The donor support lasts one school year at minimum. However, most donors support the children during a longer period.
„Wild poppies" are the only association in Slovakia offering a comprehensive education system based on individual donating and on a very individual approach to each child according to his needs."

2. Corporate award for long-term support of projects focusing on social aid and Roma community support

U.S. Steel- For the creation and implementation of the equal opportunities – work for the Roma program which resolves the situation regarding long-term unemployment with the aim of reducing unemployment in the region and improving the Roma standard of living. The project was exceptionally successful – with U.S. Steel being the actual employer – which serves as a consecutive example and motivation for other employers.

A long-term work for more than a hundred Roma. Roma acquire work habits and have a regular income, which enables them to care for the family. Roma workers and their families are actually integrating into society. The promotion for more skilled and better paid positions depends on their willingness and ability to continue to learn in the offered courses. We pay attention, so that only those whose children attend school regularly can participate in the project.

"The project provides 100% decrease in unemployment and improvement in living conditions in Roma communities in the given community and urban areas. It shows a positive example to other Roma – how they can change their living situation by their own work and contribution. It is an important reference for children that education allows you to find a more qualified and better paid job. It is also beneficial for other employees of the company who work with Roma. They can see that Roma people can work and that they don't receive anything for free."

Laboratórium molekulárnej genetiky SAV – (The SAV molecular genetics laboratory) - for long-term and target based research into serious hereditary diseases which are frequent within the Slovak Roma population, with the intent of revealing their genetic base and therefore allowing the creation of a premise for more effective treatment and prevention leading to improved quality of life for those affected and their families.

"In the provision of effective health care for hereditary disease (whether in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention) in the population of the Slovak Roma it is not possible to apply standard approaches as with other populations (i.e. non-Roma population in Slovakia), but it should be based on the specifics of Slovak Roma population.
Therefore, the aim of the project was to identify hereditary diseases that are common in this population, reveal their genetic nature and thus create the preconditions for their effective treatment and prevention, leading to better quality of life of disabled people and their families.
So far the following diseases have been subjected to analysis: phenylketonuria (a serious metabolic disorder), deafness, congenital glaucoma and retinol degeneration (eye diseases)."

Union/Eureko – for the most diverse project implemented in Slovakia (health Communities), Focusing on improving Roma population health and education regarding healthcare to the inhabitants of 68 Roma settlements, having a direct impact on 45 000 people. The project has had a proven impact on changes in the settlement inhabitants attitude towards their own health and the availability of healthcare. Human resources for the implementation of the project are (for the first time in Slovakia) selected directly from among the settlement inhabitants themselves. In integral part of the activities involves permanent educational activities and motivational training On the basis of the results achieved, the European Commission and the World Health Organisation have expressed an interest in the implementation of the program.

3. Extra curricula education activities focused on Roma youngsters and youth

Chminianske Jakubovany special elementary school – a school with the aim of developing children's personalities based on the type and degree of disability and the diversity of the respective form of life - attended by over 400 pupils from segregated Roma settlements. The school's endeavours are to secure not only school education, but also extracurricular activities – whereby 18 interesting departments which are active within the school itself aim to provide meaningful employment of the children's free time. In collaboration with other local and nationwide organisations, the school organises summer camps, courses, training, competitions, singing development and application, sports, dance and creative art to develop the pupils' talents.

„From the 1914 inhabitants of the village Chminianske Jakubovany 1452 is Roma. They live in deprived and less valuable environment in segregated settlements. The school, in addition to school-educational activities, devotes to organizing extra activities. There is a community center by the school, with which the school is working closely together. They are a monopoly operator (the only subject) in the work with Roma children and the Roma themselves.

At the school there are 18 hobby groups, which develop creative, music, sport and dance abilities, manual skills and aesthetics, imagination and creativity.
Every summer camps are organized with full-time attendance, school camps, tours, regional singing competition and representation of students in other competitions.
Our goal is investment in human beings. Mutual acquaintance and meeting at jointly organized activities contributes to elimination of barriers, to overcome fear, mistrust, lack of knowledge and thus to improving the dialogue and the overall climate in the village. "

YRAEF /Láčho DROM / The SPP foundation – (the Young Roma Artist Education Fund) – an alternative education program which utilises a mobile tutoring system whereby tutors visit students directly in the regions themselves. In addition to the regular guitar, bass guitar, violin, piano, double bass and singing lessons, activities supporting positive mentalities towards education, community upbringing by setting good examples and the creation of a volunteer network in each region are also provided.

"YRAEF project is unique in the territory of Slovakia. It provides the Roma children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and Roma settlements with the opportunity to learn singing or playing a musical instrument and thereby develop their potential and also the importance of education.
Project activities are often the only free-time activities of children. The impact of the project has a positive impact on the children's parents and the wider environment. The impact of the project is demonstrated by the fact that a number of mayors have expressed interest in its implementation in their village."

Nadácia škola dokorán (The wide open foundation) – a nationwide non-profit organisation focused on life-long education whereby activities are implemented first and foremost in localities with higher Roma community counts., with the focus being on children from socially and linguistically disadvantaged environments. Specifics include skill development, countering inadequate education among Roma students, setting changes for improved education quality for the respective children, target oriented work with teachers and changes in the school environment and climate.

"The project activates (to a great extent) all subjects of education and training both at local as well as community, regional and national level.
The outputs of the project confirmed that the method „Step by step"can improve the educational outcomes of Roma students from marginalized Roma communities, it allows to implement the school readiness of children (pre-school aged) and families from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, to increase the knowledge level in cognitive non-cognitive area, as well as to positively influence the developmental level of children and students and offset the negative effects of social environment. "

4. Individual award for long-term work contributing to improved standing on the part of the Roma

Anna Klepáčová – for a long-time successful operation as a director of nursery school in Lunik IX (biggest Roma neighborhood in Košice), during which she has indescribably raised this institution in terms of pedagogical, personnel and material point of view. For involvement in promoting the needs and rights of the Roma ethnic to national and international forums; for the creation and implementation of projects that significantly contribute to the improvement of education for Roma children.

"Since I come from a family with many children, since childhood, my parents have always imprinted in my mind the foundations of solidarity and responsibility for the underprivileged. It was these qualities that led me to the fact that right after the study I have come to the nursery school with Roma children. This work fills me so much that I have been work with this community up to the present."

PhDr. František Godla – for the lifetime work of teaching and public involvement in favor of the Roma and non-Roma pupils; for the support and mobilization of the Roma to education; for contributing to the development of Roma press and media; for the activities in the field of history of Roma in the context of the history of European nations and for tireless efforts in favor of political unification of the Roma in Slovakia.

"I'm Romany; I grew up in the Roma family, but in a majority environment. My relationship with the Roma could be described as positive, analytical-critical, constructively seeking real and mutually beneficial solutions to problems that weigh upon both the Roma and the majority community. "

Sister Anastázia Holubová - for a selfless and long-time service and assistance to the poor and abandoned; for an exceptional and comprehensive action as religious sister in a Roma neighborhood „Poštárka" in city of Bardejov; especially for educational and training work with Roma children and their long-term preparation for the first Saint Communion.

"I am a Roma woman, so I know the Roma mentality a little, therefore I like the Roma just the way they are. I respect each Roma, who tries to live honestly. I would like very much that more and more Roma people understand the scale of values, that they use the opportunity of education from the knowledge, cultural, and also spiritual perspective. "

5 . Activity of the year for actions which have saved lives or improved individuals' quality of life

Kvetoslava Turtáková and Jaroslav Korpáš
The act of the two nominated Roma is like taken from a novel or a film story. It was a "help vice versa". Directly in their settlement they discovered a 16-year old non-Roma girl, which was long on the run from home, neglected, traumatized and probably abused. They provided her with accommodation, food, hygienic and medical first aid and carried out many other institutional arrangements for her rescue and for a perspective solution of her future.

Lucia Horváthová
Ms. Lucia Horváthová is nominated for a particular self-sacrificing assistance at the department of infectious diseases of the Poprad hospital during the incidence of hepatitis. Although she is a solitary mother of four small children and an employee of a municipal office, she has contributed to the improvement of the habits of sick Roma children and their way of life after return to their home environment. She has been doing this by her health, rescue and educational work.

Mária Celušňáková
Ms. Celušňáková is nominated for more than 15 years of self-sacrificing help and support of a neighbouring Roma family. In particular, for a concentrated, purposeful, almost motherly education and guidance of a daughter called Lucia from the mentioned family. There will be a symbolic crest of these long-time efforts in the near future - Lucia will complete a graduate study in nursing.