Last month we introduced you to the HGMI and one of their Community Transformation Projects. Due to their outstanding work with the disadvantaged and particularly the Roma, the HGMI have been appointed as one of the organisations to be an executing partner of a government programme dedicated to developing the 300 most disadvantaged villages of Hungary.
The Presence programme is coordinated by the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta who partner with organisations of different denominations across Hungary. The programme itself is operated and financed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs which controls the policies targeting the cohesion and development of the Roma population in Hungary.
Following these results and working in close cooperation with the Local Council, the HGMI started by resolving problems which would see quick results and have then looked at opportunities to address long term challenges. They have hired 6 local colleagues into this programme and are working on creating micro business opportunities by using their network and mapping market opportunities. They have also partnered with an employment agency who can help the residents find jobs in the big companies of the region.
The HGMI started by asking the village residents about their lives, financial status, health, education, and how they see the status of their village. This gave the HGMI chance to get to know the people and enabled them to create an action plan to reach the needs of the village.
One of the major problems faced by the Roma community is the high number of those with low academic achievement.
One of the things they are doing to address this, is working with the local school and current students, but in addition to this they have convinced some adults to complete their secondary school education, improving their employment prospects and growing confidence. This process will continue.
