Anna-Liisa Liljefors 
For decades, Fida and Life & Light Finland have worked together to support Roma communities across Europe. In honour of International Roma Day, we have gathered five encouraging stories of change from different Roma communities.
International Roma Day is celebrated on April 8. Our first story comes from Romania.
1. Children Like Diamonds
– Children are our diamonds – they are the most precious thing we have, say Robert and Elena Kraus from Romania. For three decades, they have worked among the most vulnerable Roma children through the Betlehem Foundation they established. Finnish missionaries Klaus and Satu Korhonen collaborate with them from Finland.
The Korhonens are encouraged to see that through the joint “Spark of Hope” Christmas campaign by Fida and Life & Light organisation, the situation of Roma children in Europe has become a shared concern within the Finnish Pentecostal movement. Many churches take part in the annual fundraising campaign year after year.
Twelve years ago, the campaign made it possible to build a community centre in the village of Agristeu. The long-term impact has been remarkable: a village once known for its problems has been transformed. Substance abuse has ended, the environment has improved, children attend school, and families have renovated their homes.
From a Finnish perspective, most people still live in poverty, but life has taken a new direction. Even the mayor of a nearby town has expressed surprise that the area no longer requires police presence.
The Kraus family’s work still needs prayer and support, as many Roma communities in Romania continue to live in deep poverty. Later this year, new and moving stories will be shared through the Spark of Hope campaign.
2. A Roma Village Transformed in Bosnia
In the early 2000s, the Roma community in Kiseljak, Bosnia, lived in extreme poverty without access to water, electricity or basic rights. Sixty percent of children did not attend school, child marriages were common, and begging was a primary source of income for many families.
Fida began working in Kiseljak in 2005 together with the Tuzla Evangelical Church to support children’s education. According to Roma work coordinator Elvira Kušljugić-Bijelić, clear results began to emerge after about ten years.
A new generation had graduated from school and wanted to contribute to changing their community. This did not go unnoticed by schools, social workers and authorities.
– Our work and its impact began to be recognised, and many institutions asked us to share our experience working within Roma communities, Elvira explains.
A few years ago, a community centre was established in Kiseljak, where local authorities and Fida’s project experts now work together to support the Roma community.
Today, the situation looks very different: in many families, at least one member is employed or running a small business. All children attend primary school, and more and more continue their studies. This is especially significant for girls, as further education reduces the risk of early marriage.
Mothers actively participate in various activities and trainings.
– We work every day to improve living conditions. Access to electricity and water has improved, and currently we are addressing sewage and wastewater issues. This will further reduce infectious diseases, Elvira says.
– Today, we can say that we are writing a story in Kiseljak with a happy ending.
3. Every Child Starts School in Poljice
Poljice, located in the Tuzla region of Bosnia, is a community where people live hand to mouth. Around 30% collect scrap metal for income, while others gather recyclable materials or beg.
Access to school, shops and healthcare is limited.
When Eldina Grabovic from the Tuzla Evangelical Church arrives to lead activities, children run to greet her with joy. They eagerly look forward to drawing, playing and crafting together. According to Eldina, children also value the safe and caring atmosphere.
With support from Fida’s sponsors, children receive clothes, school meals, supplies and transport to school. Their progress is also monitored and supported.
Eldina says the results of just a few years of work are already visible:
– All children in the village now start school. They achieve good grades and no longer fall behind.
4. Dina Became a Successful Entrepreneur
More and more Roma women are taking on important roles in their communities, finding employment and becoming role models.
Dina from Latvia is one example of how courage, perseverance and support can change the course of a life. Her family lived in a remote village in poor conditions, sharing a house with several other families.
Over the years, the family received help when needed. At school, Dina discovered her passion for interior design and was able to study crafts in Riga with the help of a scholarship. She received one warm meal a day at school, but otherwise lived with very limited means.
Dina received support from Finland. Members of the Pentecostal church in Hanko committed to supporting her financially for four years, enabling her to focus on her studies. A local team also visited and encouraged her regularly.
Dina graduated with excellent results and received scholarships for her achievements. After working in Germany, she returned to Riga, where she now runs her own successful business.
5. Andrijana Follows Her Calling
As a child, Andrijana from Croatia begged on the streets together with her mother and siblings. They also collected whatever they could use from rubbish bins. At home, her father was violent towards her mother.
Andrijana says that the turning point in her life was when her parents accepted faith.. Faith brought hope and healing to the family. At the same time, the gospel reached others in the Roma community, and a desire to serve others was born in Andrijana’s heart.
– Their laughter did not discourage me. I was sure God was calling me, she says.
As a young adult, Andrijana studied physiotherapy while searching for direction in life. One night, she had a dream that she understood as a call to pause, listen to God and pray for her people.
Her heart burned for mission work, yet she also longed for a stable and comfortable life. She found a well-paid job and enjoyed her everyday life in a beautiful home.
When she heard about Fida’s Vamos mission training, she did not decide immediately. But in time, she courageously chose to step forward and apply.
– The decision to follow the call, despite fear and uncertainty, brought me deep peace and trust in God’s guidance, she says.
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Fida and Life & Light Finland have worked together for decades among Roma communities across Europe, especially among the most vulnerable. Their work combines diaconal work and mission, and today it reaches 11 countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
