I am Olga Rudenko, the head of the public organization “Ecology and Social Protection,” and at the same time, I am a Roma mediator. I live in the city of Dzerzhynsk. In essence, we are on the front line. Six kilometers away from us is the temporarily occupied territory.
Our organization has been in existence for 10 years. Over these years, we have been engaged in various community activities. We gradually started working with the Roma community that has been living in our city for a long time.
It all began with Roma girls coming to me. For me, they were simply beggars who needed help – a chance to take a shower, change clothes for them. One of them was Lida Cherepovska. As I later found out, their mother had 11 children in the family. At that time, I had two hundred Christmas gifts from a Christian mission at home. Lida tells me to bring them to the camp, you know how many children we have?
We went to the camp. It’s a compact settlement where about 400 Roma people live. They have a lot of problems that the local authorities have never solved. No one from the authorities has ever visited there. The camp, though it’s scary to say, reminded me of a ghetto.
We came, knocked on the door of the first house. My name is Olya, my assistant’s name is also Olya, and the hostess who came out to us and her daughter – they are also Olyas. We talked, asked if they could organize children for us so that we could hold a spiritual Christian event and give gifts to the children.
In the end, there were a lot of children, we had a cheerful celebration. And when we started giving out the gifts, the children nearly ripped my ears off, they jumped so excitedly for them!
After the gifts were handed out, after the celebration, everyone dispersed. Three Roma girls remained. They came up to us and said – Olga Petrovna, forgive us for our children being so unruly. But we beg you very much – do not leave our children, come to us again. It was June 2012.
After that, we started helping Roma children as much as possible.
Then I accidentally learned about the “Chirikli” Foundation, and I got to know its vice president, Zemfira Kondur. And after some time, Zemfira invited me to Donetsk for a training for journalists and NGOs. This became a turning point in my work with the Roma community. And since November 2013, I have been working as a mediator.
The conduct of regular trainings for mediators by the “Chirikli” Foundation allowed me to see the work of NGOs in development – from small tasks to the National Roma Strategy, the systematic approach in its implementation. Also, strategic planning and experience sharing are very important. For example, our Roma people love their children very much. It’s not their fault that the children hardly attend school; circumstances have led to this. I plan to study the experience of Zakarpattia in the field of preschool education and apply it in Dzerzhynsk.
Despite living in very complex near-front conditions for over a year, we’ve managed to achieve a lot. Speaking about the medical sector, the issues with tuberculosis in the Roma settlement have shifted towards disease prevention. Contact has been established with primary care medical institutions and a tuberculosis dispensary. We conduct lectures, distribute pamphlets, maintain friendly relationships, and address issues together; emergency cases are handled through phone calls.
Regarding legal matters, during this time, eight families have been granted large-family status along with the corresponding benefits.
Continuing the topic of children, I want to mention that we have established a children’s theater studio “Yagori” and opened the “DobroTy School” for the socialization of Roma families. We are planning to create a Literacy School for adolescents to teach literacy skills. Currently, I am negotiating with the authorities regarding the premises. Every Sunday, up to 20 Roma children are being educated in the Bible School. Additionally, once a week, we conduct classes to teach children sewing and shoemaking skills.
We collaborate with various volunteer organizations, such as “Crimea-SOS” and “Bulat.” They have helped our Roma people several times to receive humanitarian assistance.
Life is difficult for all of us, including the Roma. Last year, we were under bombing attacks. The Roma were exposed to significant danger because the camp is located in the city center. Moreover, there are no warning systems in case of shelling or bombings. Therefore, we are implementing a unique project for Ukraine called “Actions of Authorities Regarding the Safety of the Life Activities of a Large Roma Family.”
On a positive note, I want to highlight that there is trust in our work from both adults and children, which is essential for cooperation with the Roma community.
Of course, challenges are also present. I can consider the conflict within Roma women, their heightened emotionalism, and low social culture as some of these challenges. Additionally, the irresponsibility of some parents towards their children’s future greatly concerns me.
Undoubtedly, cooperation with the “Chirikli” Foundation greatly aids me as a mediator in my work. Firstly, financial support has provided more opportunities to assist the Roma.
Secondly, I am actively learning mediation methods and techniques.
Thirdly, I have discovered international perspectives and partnership opportunities, along with access to other resources.
In the near future, I plan to assist the “Chirikli” Foundation in signing an agreement with our local authorities to implement ROMED2.
Despite living on the front line, we do not lose optimism!
