‘Zaedno Napred’ Celebrates 11th Year
This past July Arete Youth Foundation welcomed 70 young Roma throughout Bulgaria to participate in 'Zaedno Napred'. The camps took place in Varna and Velingrad and the participants will join almost 300 alumni since 2000.
The camps began as a way for motivated Roma youth from Bulgaria to build leadership skills and self-esteem, and to find ways to overcome the extreme cases of discrimination that they face in their communities. The purpose of these camps when they were created was to help motivate, inform andimprove the lives of participants by encouraging them to complete their education and take a more active role in their communities. The goals of this initiative continue to be relevant today. "The camp is a unique experience that has given me memories that will last a lifetime," said participant Tereza Borisova from Sofia. "These 10 days are not only fun, but you have the opportunity to make new friends, and are more motivated to continue your education and learn to be proud of your ethnic origin; and now I'm not ashamed to say 'I am Roma!'"
Through interactive sessions, guest speakers, debate and discussion, participants gained valuable skills and developed important relationships during their time together. At one of the sessions they learned about the history of Roma and integration in schools from Dr. Joseph Nunev, Expert at the Ministry of Education and Science. Participants also explored issues such as discrimination and the role of the media as well as the value and importance of diversity. "From the camps we learned how to integrate Roma into society and how it can change the common stereotypes against Roma," said Rosen Yordanov from Sliven.
In addition to large and small group discussions, the participants had an opportunity to gain practical skills to help them further their education and career development. Information was presented on scholarships and internships available to young Roma in Bulgaria and the EU and how they could apply by Lyudmila Zhivkova from Roma Students Organization. They also learned how to write a cover letter, CV and interview skills. Violeta Naydenova from the Open Society Institute- Budapest, not only shared her personal story but also professional development and educational opportunities available to participants. 'We have to be more persistent and not be ashamed that we are Roma, and we must continue our education because it is very important," said camper Valeria Kamenova from Montana.
On the last day of both camps, a small grant was available to provide participants with a practical opportunity to experience the prospects of civic engagement. Participants at both locations felt a strong desire to develop a project that would serve the community where the camps were held. Therefore, trees were planted in Asparuhov Park in Varna and the center for children in Aleko Konstantinovo in Pazardzhik. They wanted to contribute to each individual community and demonstrate their sense of civic responsibility for the entire community.
AYF believes these camps foster increased motivation, higher self-esteem, important networks among peers, and greater resilience to challenges - all of which lead to greater participation in school and an enhanced desire to "give back" to the community. AYF looks forward to expanding its work in the summer of 2012 to the towns of Sliven and Montana in an effort to provide more young Roma this worthwhile opportunity.
