The Roma are among the most marginalized communities in Europe. Every city in the Balkans has its own Roma settlement, where people often live crowded together with limited opportunities for the future. Global Nomads offers help for self-reliance.

One example is the Bulgarian city of Sliven, home to one of the largest Roma slums in Europe. Around 25,000 people live in extremely cramped conditions, far below the minimum standard of living. Sliven is also known as Europe’s capital of teenage births. We step in where poverty is deepest, bringing hope where it seems to be fading.

Sometimes, we simply walk through the settlement, playing clapping or string games with the children who gather around. They know us, trust us, and delight in every small change of pace. Our time with them is about restoring dignity, bringing hope, and shining light into lives weighed down by hardship.