Homepage › The founder of Divé maky speak out

We asked Vladka Dolnikova 3 questions.

1, Why did Divé maky opt for a controversial approach to this year’s 2 % campaign? Our goal was to rouse awareness with respect to a topic, which is still unpopular if not marginal in the society. We took a creative look at the majority’s view of the Roma – the Roma should start working hard. The key message of the campaign was to show the potential of the Roma, who want to but cannot work hard. The campaign calls on people to give Roma children a chance to shape up their future regardless of the prevailing public attitude. The support in the form of donating 2 percent of their taxes gives the children a chance to change their lives. 2, How do you see the future of Divé maky in 5 years? In 5 years, Divé maky should have its secondary and university graduates. I even believe that we will deliver our long-term goal – that the children from our programme will themselves one day become tutors and personalities helping other Roma. At that time we should have here already the first generation of adults. I believe they will be successful. We have projects in the pipeline, which should also address their employment and professional development in the area they have studied enabling them to fully take care of themselves. By the way, this is not daydreaming.:-) 3, Where do you personally see the key benefit of the Divé maky program in Slovakia? In merging two worlds, with the majority helping increase the chances of the Roma and helping them be successful in their lives. In principle, we have two choices. Either we accept each other, which will give us an opportunity to culturally enrich each other’s lives or we will make each other’s life miserable. I think it is reasonable to go for the first option as the Roma culture really is awesome and the Roma do deserve a chance to show who they really are. In the end, this will be beneficial for all of us.