PRIZREN, Kosovo -- Holding her mother's dream close to her heart, Meleke Misini began studying for her university degree two years ago.
The 20-year-old Romany woman from Prizren, a city in southern Kosovo, is studying dental hygiene and aesthetics at the University of Prizren. She is part of a new generation of Romany women in Kosovo who, against the odds, are going into higher education.
"My mom completed school only up to the ninth grade, because my grandfather didn't allow her to continue. She always tells me that I have to achieve the success she couldn't," Misini told RFE/RL's Kosovo Service.
Data from the European Commission shows that only about 50 percent of Roma in Kosovo complete the nine years of mandatory education. For women, the rate is even lower, as many drop out early due to poverty, a lack of understanding of the value of education, and marriage.
And according to the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, only about 24 percent of families from the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities own computers, less than half the national average.
Higher Education
Misini is lucky, though, she said. She has her parents' full support, even though she admits that "sometimes our financial situation isn't ideal."
To help her parents fund her education, Misini obtained a work visa for Germany during the summer months and has saved money for her studies.
"[My parents] are my biggest supporters.... Every parent should support their child. Unfortunately, that's not always the case," she said.
In her pursuit of further education, Misini has also benefitted from meeting with other Romany women who are on a similar journey.
Her friend, 21-year-old Edona Krasniqi, is currently a third-year student, studying early childhood education.
Six years ago, Krasniqi's father passed away, but she has never let herself forget his dream of seeing his daughter graduate -- even when the going gets tough.
When she was working as a teacher trainee, Krasniqi said that a student used a pejorative for Romany people and said she didn't want her teacher to come from that community.
"That word made me feel terrible, but I didn't lose sight of my dream," the 21-year-old said.
Exact numbers are hard to ascertain, but there are thought to be up to 50,000 Roma in Kosovo's population of around 1.6 million people. Discrimination remains widespread, with many Roma struggling to access education, health care, and employment opportunities.
Despite the unpleasant incident in the classroom, Krasniqi said the joy she feels when children call her "teacher" is indescribable -- and she hopes she will be able to teach her students valuable life lessons.
"The first lesson in class should be about discrimination, so we are all equal and everyone comes together. It's important for all communities to learn from each other," Krasniqi said.
Scholarships
With the help of the European Union, Kosovo is taking steps to improve the lot of its Roma population. In July 2019, the government was among a group of countries in the Western Balkans to sign the Poznan Declaration, which set specific goals to improve Roma inclusion and integration in the region.
The government and education institutions are working to increase the number of students from the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities -- distinct minorities that are often grouped together. Some colleges in Kosovo have created scholarships and dedicated places for students from these communities.
Local and international NGOs have also launched initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of education in minority communities, encouraging high-school graduates to enroll in degree programs.
One such organization is the Voice of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians in Kosovo (VORAE), which provides training, academic support, and access to mentors.
"I remember the first girls who began their studies -- it was a groundbreaking moment for the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities," said Bajram Ilazi, an education officer at VORAE. "Now we see young women continuing this path, and I believe they will serve as role models for others."
Out of the 100 students benefiting from one of the organization's programs in 2024, 58 are female.
"On the one hand, this makes me very happy," Ilazi told RFE/RL. "On the other, it saddens me because I know there are many more girls who want to and are motivated to continue their studies. But due to their parents' lack of awareness, they aren't allowed."
Outside Kosovo's capital, Pristina, Ilazi said that parents are often reluctant to let their daughters move away from home.
Fortunately for dental student Misini, she isn't one of them. Along with other support, she has received a laptop from VORAE and is always on the lookout for any training, internships, or opportunities she believes will help her build a better future.
There is still a long way to go, the 20-year-old admits. There are still Roma living in neighborhoods without running water, she said, with no access to public transportation so that their children can get to school.
"There are things that must get better," she said. "There should be help to address these basic things, so we can live a better life than our parents."
