MONICA and VIKINA

Monica and Vikina are cousins, they are Roma.

Vikina was lucky compared to her cousin, early in her schooling her teacher noticed that she had a talent for music. The violin became her chosen instrument and she was able to attend music school for six years.

Despite this Vikina, Monica and their families lived with constant discrimination and fear, the result of their Roma heritage.

Street demonstrations by nazis, shouting gas the Roma, bullying at school, being unable to use the local swimming pool, they would contaminate the water, being referred to as black together with very little police intervention, had over the years taken their toll. Monica and Vikina's fathers decided it was time to leave.

They arrived in England on 25 June 1999. The immigration authorities detained Monica's father, at Rochester prison for seven weeks. The reason; asking for asylum.

Monica has been in school since her arrival in England; with only just over a year of education she was able to take a GCSE in single science this year. In September she will attend college to study hairdressing something she looks forward to in anticipation, she would not have had this opportunity in the Czech Republic.

Vikina is fifteen; she has been attending the same school, together with attending music school at a local grammar school. Vikina intends to pursue a career in music, with her talent and dedication something she should be able to achieve.

Both families are waiting for their decision.

This Page was last updated: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at 2:21:30 PM
This page was originally posted: 26/2/03; 2:19:29 pm.
Copyright 2004 Thanet Refugee Access