In search of equality

Ever since the 1999 OFSTED report that described Gypsy Roma and Traveller children as "the group most at risk in the education system", there have been official expressions of concern, some genuine efforts to find out what works and a depressing lack of progress.

Common-sense ideas have included the suggestion that racism and bullying need to be tackled.  Brilliant ideas included providing children who travelled away from their winter-base school with a laptop and Internet access, so that they can experience ICT-enhanced learning, and stay in contact with the school via e-mail.

Sadly, schools by themselves can hardly be expected to tackle the level of racism that exists in our society towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people. As the CRE has noted,
    “For this group (Gypsies and Travellers), Great Britain is still like the American Deep South for black people in the 1950s. Extreme levels of 
public hostility exist in relation to Gypsies and Travellers –fuelled in part by irresponsible media reporting of the kind that would be met with outrage if it was targeted at any other ethnic group.”
In this context, bullying can be quite subtle and hard to challenge. If nobody wants to be friends with you, how do teachers tackle that?  As one 13 year-old wrote:
    "Most of my teachers won't have time for me.  They think I am just wasting their time because all the other Travellers that have been to my school have never stuck it out because it is so lonesome."

Meanwhile, the Department for Education itself has sternly discouraged any attempts towards flexi-education, writing:
     "Where parents have entered in to flexi-schooling arrangements, schools may continue to offer those arrangements. Pupils should be marked absent from school during periods when they are receiving home education."
Which, of course, shows as a drop in performance for the school, and loses them funding.  So far from being incentivised to prepare distance learning materials, teachers co-operating will be penalised. Nice one, DfE!

Gypsy and Traveller Children and their Education.

The headteacher of my primary school was not likely to be ignored or forgotten.  She had bright pink hair, spoke with a Lancashire accent and was a passionate advocate of the rights of Gypsy children to an education.  In the 1950s there were almost no local authority sites, so most Gypsy families travelled from place to place, as seasonal work ebbed and flowed across the country.  A Gypsy child would be very unlikely to appear in your school, because most schools wouldn't accept them, and most Gypsy parents wouldn't trust "gorgios" with their children anyway.

But it just so happened that Phoebe had transferred to us from a small village school whose catchment area included a sizeable Gypsy encampment.  Somehow, she had persuaded, encouraged and charmed that community into sending their children to school, and she wasn't about to allow anyone to jeopardise any Gypsy child's attendance at her school by discriminatory behaviour or outright bullying. Many times I have wished that Phoebe were still around today!

When schools say, "Oh, it's not racism, it's just name-calling," I wish for a Phoebe.

When schools say, "We haven't the resources to meet their needs," I wish for a Phoebe.

When schools just refuse to admit Traveller children, and the local authority isn't told anything about it, I wish for a Phoebe.

But really, all it needs is a recognition of our common humanity.  As one artistic child colourfully said:

Re-dedication: Gypsies, Travellers and Showmen

For four years, this blog has been dedicated to recording the progress of, and messages about and from Mike Yemba Soro.  Now that Mike has completed his university course and got a job, I am re-dedicating this blog.  But first, congratulations for Mike, who has worked so hard and learnt so much.

Mike has faithfully kept in touch, and thanked all the people in this country who supported him - quite an onerous task on top of all the study, and I am truly grateful to him for it.

Now I am proposing to dedicate this blog to issues affecting Gypsies, Travellers and Showmen.

Thank you, dear Friends!

Dear Friends, How are you doing over there? I am so glad to have the opportunity that you have offered for me to pursue my Education career in the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi-Kenya. My greatest appreciation goes to the Almighty God for making my uncle Bishop Francis Loyo who has been more of a father to me from my child hood and grew up with him when i lost my father. He met Jenny and her Provincial members at the lambent conference and presented the need to support me and other people that need support in South Sudan. I highly appreciate your financial, spiritual and moral support towards my education when i was away from home. You have been everything to me and am so proud of you all for the kind heart that you have been given to support Gods people and those in need like me. I have come to the end of my Degree programme with my University though i have some incomplete units that i had missing marks, I had to do a unit as a supplementary due to loss of missing units and that is my greatest worry since the exams was a bit tight but if everything goes well I will graduate on October. This is not the end of my education career i am willing to continue further with my MASTERS programme in future when i get an opportunity or through self-support when i get a Job. I have acquired a lot from my education and have a big dream for our people in South Sudan am going to extend my support spiritually, socially or through projects that am planning to come up with after some times with my people in South Sudan. There are many needy people at home who have the ambition but lack support to achieve. You have not only supported me but our people at large we are the future of our people.  I appreciate everything you have done for me we shall continue shall always be friends in Christ, share ideas and support each other when the need arises. God bless you all and grant you with more than what you have done for Gods people. Thank you. With love Mike

Mike volunteering in Diocese school

Dear Jenny,

Am so glad to hear from you, I know the recent Job you got has really kept
you guite for some time but never mind i understand that.

I will send your regards to my people a they will be so happy to hear hard. you have done alot and help them too.
yes there is a slight improvement in south sudan interms of exposure to education and health staff though there is still a lot pending for us to complete the knowldge i have acquired will be of a great advantage to our people,I can volunteer as a teacher in the Diocese school before i get a job and as i look for a job.
I hope things inprove back home soon
Thanks with love

Mike 

Dear Jenny, How are you doing? I have finally defended my project and planning to go to South Sudan I will be coming early October to cross check my units that was incomplete so that i can be assured of the Graduation that will take place during this October period. I am really grateful fro the support and everything you have done for me may God bless you all accept an appreciation from me and on my relatives behalf for the effort you have done. I will keep in touch with you when i get there and return back. with love Mike

A new term

How are you doing over there in this winter?
I am doing fine and started my lectures fully from last week. I was at CMS office the money sent that is the sum of 1,108 pound has reflected in the account and i have paid my fees and some for the expenses.
I appreciate the effort you have done towards raising the money in this short period i am so grateful thank you so much and all my sponsors who have been supporting me spiritually and financially.
Thank you and God bless you.

with love Mike