A different future for Jenny and Thomas' children
Jenny and Thomas want to ensure a different future for their 3 children and for the fourth who is yet to be born. They are of Roma origin, but this has never stopped their desire for inclusion. The economic situation of the family is tragic and the father can't rest: every day he delivers curriculum but now finding a job is not easy. Help us to support the initial expenses of this family who wholeheartedly wants to get out of this misery and guarantee a happy future for their children.
My name is Elena, I am part of the Pope John XXIII Community and often encounters with situations of need have questioned my life. And so it was also the one with Jenny and Thomas, a young Roma family that I met near the city where I live and to whom I chose to give my support with my gaze fixed on the life of Don Oreste Benzi who, since the 1990s, led the Community to be close to the Roma and Sinti people in the direction of true inclusion.
Their economic situation was tragic: they lived in a dilapidated camper, they did not even have gas for heating or cooking. Thomas worked occasionally, but always off the books, because no one hires someone "like him." All that was left was begging so they could scrape together some money to eat, but the March lock-down shut everything down and their hands remained as empty as the streets of our cities.
I listened to their cry for help, and thanks in part to the local community and their pastor, we helped them to at least secure hot meals. We managed to find a used camper for them to live in, because theirs no longer even protected them from the rain. But that was not enough, because giving a decent future to their 3 children and the one about to be born is their greatest desire. Thomas said to me one day: my children cannot live like little birds who only eat if they find something. And he is right...
Thomas did not give up and delivered resumes everywhere, while Jenny took care of the children. Finally in November Thomas found a job, but 30 km from where they live and without safe means to get there. He could not give up and miss this opportunity, so we helped him find a used car so he could get to the factory every morning. The cost of the car is modest, 900 euros, but it is still a lot for Thomas and he has to pay for it in installments. Added to this are the costs of the transfer of ownership, insurance, and fuel.
We could not know that after only 10 days the company would no longer need him because of the closure of the entire production line. Thomas found himself without a salary and with expenses still to be covered. So how does one get back up without a job? How can you work if you don't even have money to feed yourself? That is why we chose to help him again and ask for your support at this time when there is no income. The amount they need is not impossible to reach if there are so many of us and everyone puts in what they can.
In the last few days, an image came to my mind: a big and tall tree full of juicy fruit, but which you cannot reach without a ladder! The tree is inclusion in society, integration, recovery of dignity. The ladder is those who believe in you, care about your dreams, and cheer for you, even if you are the last team in the standings.
I, who was born on the right side of the world, do not know what it is like to live in hardship, to suffer from the cold, to have no primary care physician, to feel branded and judged before you even open your mouth, to reach out your hand to hope for some coins... but I do know that we, all together, can be that ladder for Thomas and his family.
I, who was born on the right side of the world, do not know what it is like to live in hardship, to suffer from the cold, to have no primary care physician, to feel branded and judged before you even open your mouth, to reach out your hand to hope for some coins... but I do know that we, all together, can be that ladder for Thomas and his family.
This family is very determined and has already done so much to change their situation: the children are finally going to kindergarten and we were able to get Thomas residency, small steps toward a new life. Not a day goes by without Thomas looking for work but it is not easy at this time, he tries hard and we believe in him.
I, my loved ones and other friends have helped this family with small donations, not only for the RV and car, but also for diapers and groceries... but the tree is still too high.
So we are asking for your help, to support the initial expenses of this family who wholeheartedly wants to get out of this misery and ensure a happy future for their children. Let's help them.
To protect the family's privacy, names are fictional and images are from the archives.
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My name is Elena, I am part of the Pope John XXIII Community and often encounters with situations of need have questioned my life. And so it was also the one with Jenny and Thomas, a young Roma family that I met near the city where I live and to whom I chose to give my support with my gaze fixed on the life of Don Oreste Benzi who, since the 1990s, led the Community to be close to the Roma and Sinti people in the direction of true inclusion.
Their economic situation was tragic: they lived in a dilapidated camper, they did not even have gas for heating or cooking. Thomas worked occasionally, but always off the books, because no one hires someone "like him." All that was left was begging so they could scrape together some money to eat, but the March lock-down shut everything down and their hands remained as empty as the streets of our cities.
I listened to their cry for help, and thanks in part to the local community and their pastor, we helped them to at least secure hot meals. We managed to find a used camper for them to live in, because theirs no longer even protected them from the rain. But that was not enough, because giving a decent future to their 3 children and the one about to be born is their greatest desire. Thomas said to me one day: my children cannot live like little birds who only eat if they find something. And he is right...
Thomas did not give up and delivered resumes everywhere, while Jenny took care of the children. Finally in November Thomas found a job, but 30 km from where they live and without safe means to get there. He could not give up and miss this opportunity, so we helped him find a used car so he could get to the factory every morning. The cost of the car is modest, 900 euros, but it is still a lot for Thomas and he has to pay for it in installments. Added to this are the costs of the transfer of ownership, insurance, and fuel.
We could not know that after only 10 days the company would no longer need him because of the closure of the entire production line. Thomas found himself without a salary and with expenses still to be covered. So how does one get back up without a job? How can you work if you don't even have money to feed yourself? That is why we chose to help him again and ask for your support at this time when there is no income. The amount they need is not impossible to reach if there are so many of us and everyone puts in what they can.
In the last few days, an image came to my mind: a big and tall tree full of juicy fruit, but which you cannot reach without a ladder! The tree is inclusion in society, integration, recovery of dignity. The ladder is those who believe in you, care about your dreams, and cheer for you, even if you are the last team in the standings.
I, who was born on the right side of the world, do not know what it is like to live in hardship, to suffer from the cold, to have no primary care physician, to feel branded and judged before you even open your mouth, to reach out your hand to hope for some coins... but I do know that we, all together, can be that ladder for Thomas and his family.
I, who was born on the right side of the world, do not know what it is like to live in hardship, to suffer from the cold, to have no primary care physician, to feel branded and judged before you even open your mouth, to reach out your hand to hope for some coins... but I do know that we, all together, can be that ladder for Thomas and his family.
This family is very determined and has already done so much to change their situation: the children are finally going to kindergarten and we were able to get Thomas residency, small steps toward a new life. Not a day goes by without Thomas looking for work but it is not easy at this time, he tries hard and we believe in him.
I, my loved ones and other friends have helped this family with small donations, not only for the RV and car, but also for diapers and groceries... but the tree is still too high.
So we are asking for your help, to support the initial expenses of this family who wholeheartedly wants to get out of this misery and ensure a happy future for their children. Let's help them.
To protect the family's privacy, names are fictional and images are from the archives.
Share
