To save children from begging

Roma women from Nikšić, 20 of them, received 2.000 euros each these days to start a job of their own choosing. Most have decided to raise livestock, and some will do crafts.

This was made possible by the NGO Center for Roma Initiatives, where they say that these women, who have almost no chance of employment in Nikšić, are hardworking and satisfied.

For the first time in 40 years, Šemsija Ademaj got the opportunity to feed her family. The mini-farm of laying hens that has just been delivered to her gives her hope that she will save the children from begging and live at least a little better.

"To find someone to sell eggs to. To buy bread, to eat, to drink, flour... I have five sons and two daughters, I have a husband, he doesn't work anywhere, he doesn't receive social welfare," says Ademaj.

Before receiving the grant, the beneficiaries were trained in writing business plans.

"Those business plans are related to cattle breeding and handicrafts, which include opening a hair salon, opening a laundromat, sewing. Each woman who is selected receives 2 euros for implementation," said Maja Matović from the NGO Center for Roma Initiatives.

Sewing Roma folk costumes, washing and ironing, cleaning carpets are some of the accepted ideas, and the donors are the Austrian Development Cooperation, CARE Austria and the OAK Foundation.

Linda Rama (18) from the settlement of Budo Tomović, decided to break away from the great poverty in which her neighbors live, so she will try her hand at livestock farming. She reckons that she will do well with the pregnant cow she got and that she will multiply the stock with the udder.

"At first I wanted agriculture, and then I changed my mind and asked for cow breeding, because my father understands that, so I also wanted to know. How the cow came, I work, I'm satisfied, so by the time she calves, then she will start selling and distributing milk to the community," says Rama.

"Women give back 20 percent to the local community in products and services, not in money. One woman from Gvozdenice received it for building a barn, she has two cows, one calf and she is very satisfied. She already has a return in milk and cheese for the most vulnerable from the local community." , Matovic said.

Matović notes that the women who have decided to breed animals are assisted by an expert and that they have so far shown that they are hardworking.

"I'd rather work than sit," said Ademaj honestly.

Slavka Adžović, a Romani woman from Nikšić, has been known as a hard worker and a successful livestock farmer for more than 20 years, so maybe one of these women will follow in her footsteps.