When we talk about education, we often mean school, grades, and notebooks. But it all starts much earlier — with the child’s first acquaintance with the world of knowledge.
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For many Roma children, this first step is the most difficult. Due to social isolation, lack of access to kindergartens and educational resources, and often due to the lack of an example in the family, where parents did not have the opportunity to study.
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That is why ZOBF “Blago” implements the program “Preschool Preparation of Roma Children”, which aims to give children from Roma communities not just knowledge — but a chance. A chance to come to first grade not with the feeling of “I am not like that”, but with the conviction: I can do it!
⠀ Within the framework of the program, children learn letters, numbers, develop speech, logic, fine motor skills, and the ability to work in a team. They learn to listen, answer, understand questions, and — most importantly — believe in themselves.
Daniela and Aron Horvaty are just such kids. They have been attending classes for several months now and always leave with a smile on their face.
But a child does not grow without the support of the family. That is why the program also includes classes for parents – a special format where moms and dads can get support, new knowledge and parenting skills.
👨 Dmytro, the children’s father, could not find peace of mind for a long time after returning from the front.
“I was haunted by anxiety, fear, unspoken emotions. But it was the art therapy in the classes that helped me calm down a little. I began to listen to my children more. And to be there not just physically, but truly,” he shares.
👩 Kristina, a mother, admits that she previously did not understand why preschool preparation was needed at all:
“It seemed to me that the child would learn already at school. And now I see how Daniela and Aron are blossoming. They have become confident, they are not afraid to speak. And my husband and I are also changing with them.”
This is a family that, despite all the challenges, has chosen the path of development and care for children. The story of the Horvats is particularly moving because their house burned down in a fire. They had nothing left but each other.
But even in such difficult circumstances, this family did not lose the most important thing: their faith that everything can still be good.
Today they live very modestly. But every day they take their children to classes, take a sincere interest in their studies, draw together, read fairy tales, and build their new life — from ruins, from ashes, from love.