Cargo-partner helps socially disadvantaged Roma families in Slovakia

The non-profit organization Jugend Eine Welt – Don Bosco Aktion Austria assists Roma children in social integration in Orechov Dvor, near the city of Nitra in western Slovakia. Cargo-partner has been the main sponsor of this charitable project since 2012, and after the first phase, the project was extended until August 2019.

Roma are often exposed to social segregation, accompanied by unemployment, lack of perspective, and low levels of education. Social problems include drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence, and early pregnancy. Currently, there are 350 people living in the settlement of Orechov Dvor, near the city of Nitra, of which 133 are children under the age of 14. Almost all adults are not formally employed.

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The mission of the Salesian Society is to help and intervene where public institutions have failed or given up too soon. The sister order began working with preschool children in 2012 in Orechov Dvor. In December 2014, the sisters from the Salesian order opened the Mother Child Center in collaboration with the sister order of the Holy Spirit and cargo-partner. Two years later, at the initiative of cargo-partner, the sisters actively began participating in working with children in kindergartens.

As trained social workers, with the support of the sister order of the Holy Spirit, the Don Bosco sisters lead numerous activities that support the sustainable integration of Roma children.

Experiences and effects of the project in the period 2014 – 2018

Using Montessori methods in working with kindergarten and preschool children, they encourage skill development and emphasize the importance of education. In addition, the sisters provide targeted support to mothers. Within animated groups working through play with children, the sisters advise mothers on education, childcare, nutrition, and health, as well as household issues. In this way, the Mother Child Center in Orechov Dvor promotes the mutual development of relationships between mothers and children with the long-term goal of social integration of young Roma.

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According to the latest report from Jugend Eine Welt, in the last four years of the project, mothers and sisters have deepened their relationships with great mutual trust. Advice and recommendations for the education and upbringing of children now have a lasting effect. Visible progress has been noted in children with early education; thanks to the skills acquired, children have an easier adjustment when entering kindergartens and schools. Without these additional educational measures, their low level of education and lack of language skills would have led to stigmatization and discrimination. Families have managed to improve their lives thanks to regular visits to the Mother Child Center, where they learned healthier ways of interaction and coexistence.

A look into 2018 – 2019

With the help of cargo-partner, the sisters from the Salesian order will continue the work of the Mother Child Center, aiming to integrate as many children, mothers, and families into the program as possible. The sisters will continue their work, focusing on high-quality education according to the Montessori method, promoting children’s talents and skills, and supporting their healthy development with the goal of successful entry into schools at the age of six. At the same time, the sisters will continue to work with parents to strengthen parenting skills and family life. For now, the project continues until the upcoming school year, which starts in September 2018 and lasts until August 2019.

“Working with the organization Jugend Eine Welt is a rich experience for us. We are glad that our small part can enable children to have a better future. The Don Bosco sisters, by helping families, do more than a good deed; they help to improve lives in the long term,” said Stefan Krauter, CEO of cargo-partner.

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Cargo-partner has been helping the non-profit organization Jugend Eine Welt in social projects across Europe, India, and the Middle East for over ten years.

Recently, under the auspices of cargo-partner, the official website https://www.jugendeinewelt.at was launched.