Tony Gaudi, 21, Professional Cleaner, Brussels
By choosing for permanent employment, this young Rom is breaking steretypes.
Tony, 21, came to Belgium when he was 9 years old, when his father came looking for a job in construction. At first, he didn’t feel the urge to learn the language. When he started secondary school however, he noticed how he needed the language to communicate with his friends. So he turned around and learned the language in just one year.
After finishing his studies in secondary school, Tony consulted an association that assists migrants and Romani in career guidance. There he was assigned a personal coach, who helped him set up an action plan: he was motivated to write a resumé and apply for jobs . After a few weeks, Tony was able to find a job as a professional cleaner in the Royal Library in Brussels, thanks to his knowledge of the language.
Tony says he is only one of many Roma youths who are choosing to work. Statistics have shown that recently, an increasing number of Romani received a long-term job contract. Tony hopes that this can finally change the stereotypes that exist about the community: “a change is on its way, and a positive image with the large public is only a matter of time”, Tony says.
He also points out that he was lucky to have a family who supported him in finishing his studies and finding a job. Many Roma youths leave on the way, especially when they do not receive the approval of their family, whose importance is crucial in the community. “Parents sometimes do not understand the importance of including children in the Belgian school system, which is nevertheless necessary in Belgium”. Today, thanks to his small savings after finding a job, he and his family were able to buy a house near Brussels.
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