The Roma community has been present in Hungary for centuries and is an important part of society. However, education is essential for social integration and individual development, so improving and supporting learning opportunities for Roma youth is an outstanding task.
Education promotes the long-term integration of Roma youth into society. The knowledge and skills acquired through school studies improve employment prospects and increase their chances of a better quality of life.
Roma youth often face various obstacles in accessing educational opportunities. Some children have difficulties with attending the appropriate schools, while others struggle with financial difficulties, prejudices, and discrimination, which present additional problems for them. In recent years, there has been increasing attention towards promoting educational opportunities for the Roma community. HGMI plays a prominent role not only in the mission field but also in Roma education. It operates kindergartens, primary schools, and regularly organizes high-quality training for members and leaders of the community.
“We are preparing for a breakthrough, the basis of which is the promise through the word received from God that 325,000 Gypsies are expected to convert and integrate into churches. This will have numerous consequences. Society will transform, the social integration of Roma people will accelerate, and when they start working, the majority will also see the changes. Obviously, the number of dependents, welfare recipients, and unemployed individuals will decrease with employment. It will bring about changes in the Roma’s immediate environment, family, and residential areas, as well as have an impact on the economy. The resources are already provided for all of this, and the economic potential exists in the Roma settlements, where the changes will be most strongly felt. And once this starts, it will take the wind out of the sails of extremists,” emphasized Albert Durkó, the mission leader, in a previously given interview.
Government and civil initiatives, programs, and support also contribute to promoting equal opportunities for Roma youth to access education. Promoting educational opportunities is not only important for individual development and well-being but also for the overall economic and cultural development of society.