A 30-Year Haven of Unity

By Maya A., Volunteer in Romania

Our house here in Romania was opened just after communism ended in 1994, which means that our community turned 30 this past year! It’s events like this that really allow us to invite people from all of our different groups of friends to come and celebrate with us. One of the harder realities about our life here in Deva, is that there is a sharp divide between our Romanian, our Hungarian, and our Roma friends. It is quite rare for these groups to interact, but there is this safe haven, our home, where these barriers begin to slowly crumble and little miracles begin to happen.

Each group has this fear of the other, but somehow when we are all together, it is clear to see that each person is just that. A person. A child that wants a piece of chocolate. A grandmother who wants you to try her chocolate cake. A mother who is tired and just wants 5 minutes of peace before the screaming begins again. 

There were Romanian grandmothers walking the Roma children around the yard and helping them to get their desserts. There were Hungarian dads helping some of the older Romanian grandmothers walk home. 

But what was most touching, was that after the mass, there was a Hungarian man, who in general has no interaction with the Roma people. And sadly, when he has, has only seen Roma people live up to their worst stereotype. But to my surprise, he bent down and gave each child a big piece of chocolate and said a small prayer over them. This was a miracle. It has been a HUGE challenge trying to connect these groups because of their long history and the pain that had accompanied many interactions from both sides. Tears began to well up in my eyes as I stood and watched each child run away with a big smile, waving their little chocolate around. This was a turning point. This small sign of peace gives me great hope.