The 27-years old Barbara Balogh was born in Kisvárda, Hungary. She is a single mother of 8-years old daughter. Barbara is self-employed, as she possesses two professional qualifications – cook and hand and nail care specialist.
Barbara has been working as a call sales agent for 4 years before encountering SHAPYR’s opportunity for young Roma adult learners in vocational training. Although she loved the call agent’s job, the young woman has always been fascinated by the beauty industry.
And then REF supported her beautician studies in 2018-2019 school year.
The Roma Education Fund covered 100% of Barbara’s training costs. The young adult has also received scholarship, and she was able to afford the professional tools. Barbara is proud that she managed to attend the Nailympia, the world’s most leading nail competition in London.
“I think it is important for the Roma to be part of my vocational field, because today’s young Roma are talented and creative, and I believe many Roma would go to a service provider who is rather a Roma.
My cultural background is an advantage to me and my daughter in many ways, as most Roma have outstanding talents. In addition, I am much more accepting of others as I know and have experienced what it is like when someone has not been treated equally. What makes Roma unique us that we do the things with heart and love.”
REF’s Second Chance Programs for Adult Functional Literacy and Formal School Completion aim to raise education attainment levels of Roma young adults who have not completed primary and/or secondary education. The majority of REF activities supporting adult education programs take place within our large-scale, multi-country projects, such as Shaping Academic and Employment Skills for Young Roma (SHAPYR) in Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
