Some testimonials created for Mamy’s project may be seen here

Testimonials

Some testimonials created for Mamy’s project may be seen here.

The whole set of videos may be seen on the Mamy’s Project YouTube account.

Belgium

Delia, a very precious and intelligent woman from the Roma community, has gone through many stages. She has succeeded in helping us understand how important education is. Her story, her obstacles, and her goals are truly lessons from which we can learn a lot. We invite you to listen to her story below. Delia, dear sister, we thank you for your time and patience.

Like many young girls, she has dreams that she still aspires to realize. However, she has often been limited by financial constraints, as well as by expectations related to her family and the Roma community.

Her name is Mihaela, and she comes from a wonderful Roma family. Despite the traditions of her community, she has been fortunate to receive the support of her parents, who encouraged her to pursue her studies. With their love and assistance, she has been able to set ambitious goals and overcome obstacles with courage, transforming each challenge into a step toward a better future.

Simona, a woman from the Roma community, comes from a small town, but her story is rich and inspiring. Driven by big dreams and ambitious goals, she has overcome many challenges to become an independent woman. Below, you will have the opportunity to listen to her captivating story and the valuable advice she wishes to share.

Slovenia

She reflects on the challenges she faces on a daily basis, including early marriages and pregnancies, and emphasizes the importance of education for Roma girls. She advocates for girls to receive an education that gives them the freedom to make independent decisions and earn their own money. By delaying early marriages, the girls can focus on their personal development and careers and contribute to their families and society. She emphasizes the need for preventative reproductive and mental health education to help Roma girls build self-confidence and shape their own futures through education and self-reliance.

Mojca is a professional social worker who talks about her experiences working with Roma families in Novo mesto. After 13 years of practical work, she talks about the challenges and cultural similarities she has discovered, as well as the importance of education and community support for improving the lives of Roma youth and families.

Martina talks about her experiences in a Roma socialization program that focuses on reducing prejudice and raising awareness about early marriage and teenage pregnancy. She emphasizes the importance of education and helping girls set life goals beyond traditional norms. Her statement underlines the impact of the program and shows a change in mindset among Roma girls, who are now seeking education and striving for better opportunities.

Manja, Roma woman from the Vejar settlement, talks about her life, her work and her goals. She talks about her experiences in public service, about helping Roma children with their education and about her views on the challenges Roma face, particularly in relation to education, early marriages and social integration. Manja emphasizes the importance of education and the need for more opportunities for young Roma, especially girls, to engage outside their community. The video also addresses stereotypes and cultural traditions within the Roma community.

Portugal

Emilia talks about her childhood and the opportunities her generation had to study. She finished school up to the 6th grade and later returned to studying as an adult, showing her determination to keep learning. She also shares about her family and the challenges she faced throughout her life, especially for being a woman and, even more, for being a Romani woman. Despite the difficulties, Emilia is an example of strength and resilience, fighting to overcome obstacles and build a better future for herself and her loved ones.

Dionísia grew up within the Roma community. She mentions having a happy childhood and interacting with people outside her community. In secondary school, she faced some challenges as she attended a non-traditional educational path. She also encountered difficulties entering higher education but managed to overcome these obstacles.

Natalia speaks about her childhood and how she grew up within the Roma community. After the passing of her grandmother, she was taken into a shelter, where she found essential support for her life.Despite the challenges, Natalia always remained focused on her studies, never giving up on her identity and Roma culture. Currently, she works directly with the community, playing an important role in one of the most challenging areas of the Roma community in Beja.

Mariana talks to us about the importance of education, stating that it should be a fundamental right for everyone. She has always attended school and university, considering education an essential pillar for her future. She reflects on the challenges she faced in her academic journey, explaining that the biggest barriers she encountered were in the school environment, not within her own community. However, even with her education, she still faces challenges in accessing the job market simply because she is Roma, which highlights the discrimination that still exists in society.