Barbora Ellen Bilá: I want to go to college and make my grandfather's last wish come true

Barbora Ellen Bilá is a 17-year-old student of business and economics in the Czech Republic who is aiming for a career in international business. Before that, though, she would like to complete high school and then college, which she is doing with the help of a scholarship from the Romani Scholarship Program.

In an interview for Romea.cz, Bilá revealed that she promised her grandfather, who supported her in her studies and believed in her, that she would earn a college degree. As part of her scholarship, she has been attending the BARUVAS program, which aids Romani students with forming bonds and establishing contacts, and she describes the experience as follows:  “At BARUVAS I got to know many amazing people who have become important to me. I also got information about opportunities to study abroad.”   

The ROMEA organization’s scholarship program is not just about financial aid during one’s studies. Other components of the program are educational supports in the form of tutoring, the ability to take extracurricular courses, and the regular BARUVAS student meetings.

Students not only educate themselves further at those meetings, but have an opportunity to get to know each other and establish relationships across the country. “The ROMEA organization is also assisting me with buying textbooks, workbooks and other aids,” Bilá said.  

On 8 April, ROMEA launched a new campaign entitled “Haters Will Not Stop Us!” responding to the stereotypical opinions about Romani students that appear on social media. You can watch that video here. 

You, too, can support Romani scholarship recipients and show the haters they are wrong!!! To donate, click here.