Petalouda Greece – An oasis providing learning and support to the Romany community
Since 2016, the dedicated Petalouda team, part of our Greek partner, Hellenic Ministries is committed to the Romany community in northern Athens. The goal: integration through education.
Graduation is the ultimate goal – Petalouda is laying the corner stone
Preschoolers start their day in a colourful room by washing their hands and brushing their teeth. Especially lively children gradually calm down under the supervision of Petalouda staff. At the part of the day dedicated to more creative pursuits, the kids get to read, sing and paint. Some of the children are holding a felt-tip pen for the first time. At Easter, the children were allowed to go Easter egg hunting. Something special for the kids. The mothers made candles and listened to biblical stories.
These moments are especially precious for Romany children, as their childhood is often too short
explains Luciana Oliveira, the social educator and centre director.
The course for starting school has been set
A total success: 232 Romany community children are enrolled in school. Petalouda operators work tirelessly to ensure that that number will continue to increase. They help families deal with official paperwork. Many of the Romany people do not even have an ID card. Many Romany parents would not know where to start to get through the red tape of enrolling their children in school. Most can neither read nor write.
Even going to a doctor to get their children vaccinated for school can be an overwhelming experience. Petalouda ensures that all Romany children are vaccinated and provided with school supplies on the first day of school.
After school is out, kids immediately return to the centre
In the afternoon, the centre is teeming with children doing their homework. The centre staff stay in close contact with local schools. They know what subjects the children have difficulties in. As mediators, they also provide information on sensitive topics such as bullying by other school kids.
Teenage girls bring their own brand of vitality to the centre. They are known for their lively personalities and open interaction with each other. At Petalouda, they find a safe space to further their schooling and exchange ideas on life topics that are relevant to them.
Services for adults
Doctors regularly come to the centre to ensure that the Romany community gets healthcare. Greek language and various craft professional courses help adults prepare for the job market and promote their integration.
Here, I find joy and peace
says 21-year-old Eugenia, mother of two.
A tranquil place
She dropped out of school at the age of sixteen. For a long time, she came to the centre to learn Greek. Now this is no longer possible because she has family obligations. She wants her children to graduate from school. They should have a better future. Vangelitsa sits next to Eugenia. The young woman is twenty years old and is already a mother to three children. “My husband lets me come to the centre because it’s good for me and the children”, she says, smiling.
Petalouda has established a reputation as an important facility that significantly improves the quality of life of the Romany community in the district of Ano Liosia. The centre remains an oasis of hope and growth, helping to shape the future of an often-marginalised community with open arms.
EU-MIDIS Study on Discrimination against the Romany in Europe 2009
- High discrimination rates:82% of the Romany surveyed in Greece reported frequent incidents of discrimination, well above the EU average of 61%.
- Discrimination areas: The most common experiences were with private services and in the workplace.
- Incident frequency: On average, affected Romany experienced eleven discriminatory incidents per year.
- Meaning of equality: The ongoing commitment to equality and the protection of the rights of all people, regardless of their ethnicity, remains essential.
- Long-term projects: Despite the time that has elasped since the survey, facilities such as the Petalouda Centre are still necessary to improve the situation of the Romany in Greece.
