iFacilitate heads to Croatia once more

Photo: Statue of former Ban of Croatia, Josip Jelačić, in Zagreb

In June 2011, Elizabeth of iFacilitate headed for Croatia for her second visit this year, coinciding with the visit of the Pope to Zagreb. The destination on this occasion was the town of  Čakovec, in the north of the country. She travelled with Lana Yurman and Bojan Markicevic of  Consol, in Lana's small Yugo, nicknamed 'Bluebird'. 

The purpose of the trip was to meet with teaching staff at Osnovna Skola, Orehovica, to find out how they felt Consol could help them in dealing with issues that arose when teaching Roma children. The school does not practice segregation of the Roma children, and seeks to integrate them as fully as possible with children from non-Roma communities. However, they experience challenges in teaching the Roma children and in working with their famiies.  

We were made very welcome. After initial discussions and tea with the headmaster, we were shown the brand new school that will soon provide great space and wonderful facilities for teachers and children. Then we visited two Roma settlements and talked with the people living there.   

Elizabeth designed an interactive and fully participative workshop attended by the headmaster, teachers and Roma teaching assistants. Lana and Bojan co-facilitated and translated throughout the day. We were impressed that 20 people were willling to give up their free time on a Saturday to attend. The day started with an interview for Croatian television, and the rest was spent in lively discussion and interaction. We asked the participants to tell us what they saw as being the issues in working with Roma children and what could be done - the participants relished the contrast to their usual experience of being told by 'experts' rather than being asked their own views. They experimented with some of our activities and games and expressed the wish that Consol and iFacilitate should come and work with them, concluding that we brought a fresh approach and can introduce them to new methods and ways of working. So now to plan ahead and find funding!