Once a week, gypsy children from Plasencia play soccer. But if they miss school three times, they are not allowed to play. It is a way of learning values and fighting against school absenteeism.
“I have reduced absenteeism a lot: children are more willing to study”
Education as a key against inequality: is the message that Antonio Montaño, educational promoter, conveys to children and their families.
“If we want change, it is through education, and it is the best tool to change the future”
From the Federation of Associations of the Extremeño Gypsy People they are committed to unity as a tool against discrimination.
“We are united and willing to negotiate to improve the conditions of the gypsy people”
Juan Vázquez, the president of the federation, also calls for an effort from the rest of society.
“We need the payo collective to also integrate, because we are not only going to be the ones who have to get closer”
Roma women especially suffer from stigmas that the gypsy people drag with consequences even on their health. So much so that they have a life expectancy 10 years less than other women. For this reason, they are already working on creating the figure of the health promoter.
“Breast cancer, Pap smears… things that we Roma women have a little more forgotten about”
Remedios Cortés, president of the Federación Mujeres Gitanas de Extremadura, explains that despite the inequalities that still exist, there are significant advances.
“We have girls in the universities, in Cáceres there are two girls who are finishing their nursing degree”
Advances without forgetting its origin, that of a people always wandering in search of a better futureas he prays his hymn Gelem Gelem.
