My biggest dream for Christmas 2022: Samir from Ukraine, now in Moldova (05 грудня 2022 р.)

The war in Ukraine has shown that antigypsyism spreads to all parts of life. We have seen numerous cases when Ukrainian Roma refugees were treated differently from the rest, put in separate detention centres, discriminated against, and denied basic dignity. 

Many of these refugees are children. Many Ukrainian Roma refugee children fleeing the war together with their families are not hosted by volunteers in the countries they have found asylum. Many are staying in the centres. 

Although these children are now relatively safe, it is not the childhood we could imagine for them. And while antigypsyism is still a norm in our society, no Roma children are safe from discrimination.

Soon many of us will be celebrating Christmas, New Year and other seasonal holidays. For many of us, this is a time of hopes and dreams, new beginnings and aspirations. We have also asked Ukrainian Roma children now staying in Moldova, the Czech Republic and Poland: 

“What is your biggest dream for Christmas?”

During December and the time of advent, we will be sharing some of the dreams they told us about. And while we do, we would like you to join us in trying to make these dreams come true – as much as we can.

Because each of us can play a very small part – but for someone, this part would be a life-changer.