“Today is the first day of school! I can't wait to go and see my teachers and friends”

Many children growing up in poverty in Eastern Europe have parents who dropped out of school early and are now unable to secure well-paid jobs. Children then often drop out early themselves to help earn money for their family or take care of younger siblings. This is particularly common in Roma communities, where families are close-knit, and Roma children sometimes face prejudice at school. The cycle of poverty continues when Roma children fail to get a good education and face the same lack of job prospects as their parents.

"Today is the first day of school! I can't wait to go and see my teachers and friends," said eight-year-old Desi excitedly.

Desi is one of five children growing up in a Roma family in Bulgaria. Her parents know first-hand how difficult life can be without an education. They work low-paid jobs, and money is always tight.

Nikolay, her father, said, "I've never been to school in my life except for kindergarten. There have been so many situations where I've been uncomfortable because of my problems with writing, and I don't want my children to feel the same shame as me. I want a better future for them where they don't make the same mistakes I did." 

It would be difficult for Desi's parents to help her with her schoolwork or afford the school supplies their daughter needs, but fortunately, the family are enrolled on Mission Without Borders' family sponsorship programme – and as a result, Desi attends after school club, where she receives regular support with her schoolwork. She was also delighted to receive a backpack and school supplies from MWB.