A literacy program allowed Isuf, pictured with his father, to return to school.

Restoring Hope to the Roma

A literacy program is providing educational opportunities for Gypsy children in Kosovo

The classroom is the last place that many boys Isuf’s age want to be on a sun-drenched summer day. But for this eager 12 year old, going to school isn’t a chore. It’s a miraculous gift.

Isuf should be in sixth or seventh grade, but he has attended school only sporadically over the years because his Roma family could not afford to pay for textbooks or decent clothes. A literacy program sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse has opened new doors, and Isuf was able to return to school and recently complete the third grade.

His teachers say he works hard and is a bright student. Math is his favorite subject. Except for a few days of sickness, he had almost perfect attendance throughout the 2008-2009 school year.

“My heart rejoices every time I see Isuf in class,” said Donika, project director for the Samaritan’s Purse ministry to the Roma people in Kosovo. “He gets a hug, a touch, and love from us, and lots of basic life lessons that will help him reach the goal of becoming who he is called to become.”

Samaritan’s Purse has been offering educational and feeding programs to the Roma for the past two years. Also referred to as Gypsies, the majority of the 120,000 Roma living in Kosovo frequently are ostracized by mainstream society. Poverty, alcoholism, domestic violence, and teen pregnancies contribute to a cloud of hopelessness that overshadows the community.

Most of the Roma do not receive a formal education, making it almost impossible to find well-paying jobs. About 80 percent of the adults living in the Roma colony are unemployed. Those who do have jobs work primarily as common laborers, housekeepers, and garbage collectors.

Isuf is one of nearly 60 boys and girls who began participating in the literacy program last summer in preparation for going to school that fall. Students were divided into two groups: those who needed extra help with reading and writing, and older kids having only Grade 1 or 2 level reading skills or none at all.

Once the semester began, Samaritan’s Purse offered an after-school program to assist these children with their homework, English classes, and computer training. The program met with huge success as nearly all of the students completed the school year in June.

An additional 20 students ranging in age from 6 to 13 enrolled in the literacy program this summer so they will be ready to attend public school in September.

Isuf’s dream of returning to school became a reality when Samaritan’s Purse provided clothes, hygiene items, and textbooks. Our staff also gives a small monthly food package to his family, who struggle with health problems and are unable to work.

Abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, Isuf never knew his biological parents. An older couple who never had children of their own heard about the infant and offered to raise him.

Life is hard as the family is very poor. His father is elderly and is mostly housebound. His mother also has disabilities and spends her days in town begging. Isuf is able to eat one meal a day through a hot lunch program funded by Samaritan’s Purse.

“Just recently Isuf told our cook—after he had eaten three plates of food—that he would eat more so it would last him all day long and then he would not have to worry about dinner,” Donika said. “We pray and hope that God will give strength to his parents to keep on loving and caring for him and that we keep on providing the lunches so he gets to eat at least once a day.”

In addition to school lunches and literacy training, children in the Roma colony hear the Good News of God’s unconditional love for them. Kids Klubs are an especially big draw for the children. Activities are held on Saturdays in private homes, where boys and girls participate in games, praise music, and prayer. At the gatherings they talk freely about Jesus Christ and hear Bible stories.

Isuf is among dozens of boys and girls who attend the weekly events. Having no siblings, he relishes the opportunity to interact with others.

Best of all, he is gaining understanding of how much Jesus Christ values him, regardless of his poverty, family background, or social standing. Isuf knows he is special because he is a beloved child of God.