Djordjina Halilkovic, 19, is one of the freshman year students of Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics in Nis, and a participant in We Are Here Together – European Support for Roma Inclusion Project which, among other things, supports Roma children in their educational efforts.
Djordjina points not only to her mother’s substantial support in making the decision and enrolling in faculty, but also to the fact that participation in Roma inclusion project last year had helped her to complete high school as successfully as possible and receive scholarship that paid off her high school expenses and, later, enabled her to enrol in faculty.
We Are Here Together – European Support for Roma Inclusion Project is funded by the EU with EUR4.8 million and implemented by OSCE Mission to Serbia, in coordination with Office for Human and Minority Rights, several ministries and NGOs.
Last year, within school drop-out prevention programme implemented through the Project, 525 students were entitled to scholarship. As announced by Project’s Steering Committee, in 2015, additional 500 Roma students should obtain scholarships.
Danijel Remic, student of Medical High School, will apply for scholarship and mentorship again within We Are Here Together – European Support for Roma Inclusion Project.
Danijel is fourth grade student of Medical High School and, due to the fact that he travels some 20 kilometres every day from his village Balajnac to school, the scholarship helps him to pay his monthly bus ticket.
“Last year, I had a chemistry mentor. I hope this year I would receive scholarship and help from a mentor again, because I would like to take preparatory classes and enrol in college or faculty,” says Danijel.
Djurdjin and Danijel’s mentor, history teacher Dragana Vuckovic, says that participation in the project allowed her to gain considerable experience which she would put to use again during the next school year.
“It turns out that, above all, children need support to complete or continue education. Studying is not a problem; their biggest problem is lack of support from parents and relatives. Their families tend to perceive education simply as another expense,” says Vuckovic.
According to her, other Roma children should also be introduced to their fellow compatriots who were engaged in higher education or had completed it. “They should see other Roma fighting and completing higher education, in order to embark on the same trip themselves,” says Vuckovic.
