Mina (name changed) is a Roma mother of five children and a single parent. The father of the children has an alcohol problem. To protect her children, Mina separated after several incidents. At first, Mina and the children were able to live with her mother in a council apartment for Roma. When a small apartment in the housing estate became available, Mina moved in with the children, but without official confirmation from the social services. After two years, the authorities found out and evicted the family from the apartment. As Roma with five children and no income, it is difficult to find an apartment. In addition, two of her children suffer from epilepsy. Whenever possible, Mina works a few hours in a factory. Her nine-year-old daughter looks after her younger siblings during this time. Our local partners accompany Mina and the children as part of the mentoring project. They discuss the situation with her and ways to improve Mina’s situation. Our partners are currently doing everything they can to ensure that Mina and the children find a new home.

Prevention with a difference
On our last mission to Serbia, we visited single mothers at home. We were struck by the plight of many families. They live unprotected on the margins of society. They receive no alimony and often no state support. The women are at risk of prostituting themselves because of their financial hardship. Not because they want to, but because they see no other way out. Together with the local organization Centar Za Bebe in Serbia, we have therefore developed a mentoring concept. Women are closely supported and goals are developed together in order to build a stable life in the long term. Women in need receive temporary financial support. Centar Za Bebe is currently supporting Mina. We support Centar Za Bebe with technical expertise and finances. If this type of prevention has a lasting effect, we would like to support and accompany more women.

Christina Wüthrich, Ministry Leader Lona Project