STARTING on April 8, the International Day of Roma, Roma children and youths in Kecerovce will find 200 new books in the local community centre.
Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy to Slovakia Thatcher Scharpf handed over the donation from the Slovak Association of Publishers and Booksellers, the Sme daily reported on its website. The recipients were able to select the books themselves.
"All children and young people, regardless of their origin and social situation, have a thirst for education," the US diplomat said.
The embassy was notified of the eastern Slovak municipality with some 3,400 residents, of whom 2,800 are Roma, from NGOs with which it cooperates.
“Children who visit the community centre come from families living off material need allowances,” said Július Pecha, a field health assistant who has been working with the Roma in Kecerovce for over 10 years, as quoted by Sme. “Books are expensive today and they cannot afford them”
Source: Sme
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
