Resilience - Roma children with a parent in prison

A football slalom, a penalty shoot-out, a dance workshop, a singing competition – and, as a grand finale, a big foam party. On 15 August, the Czech NGO Romodrom and Roma community leader Zdenek Kanci brought around 450 people from the local Roma community together. Among them were 96 children, who spent the afternoon moving between different games and activities.

The idea of the day was simple: have fun and collect stamps along the way. Children could try football specific activities as well as hula hooping and balloon races. Completing the challenges earned them a stamp and, eventually, a ticket for a ride of their choice.

There was more happening around the field too. Children and families could watch an MMA demonstration by BFC Liberec, join a dance workshop or take part in a singing competition. Later in the afternoon, the inflatable attractions and foam party took over. Romodrom staff coordinated the programme, while Vanessa Horáková, a young Slovak singer-songwriter, kept the music going as DJ and singer and closed the event with a final performance.

The event also provided an opportunity to reach families in the local Roma community and introduce them to support available through Romodrom. This outreach is particularly important in a community that has historically faced discrimination and unequal treatment within the criminal justice system.

For Roma families, encountering prison services can come with additional barriers, including prejudice, mistrust and limited recognition of their specific needs. Organising the event within the community provided an opportunity for Romodrom staff to reach families who may face barriers when engaging with prisons. In a familiar and informal setting, they could introduce families to the support available and begin building relationships and trust, while creating a basis for stronger cooperation with prison services.

During the event, families could learn more about Romodrom’s work while spending time together, playing and taking part in the activities. These informal encounters can help build trust and make it easier to talk about the support families may need.

This is an important part of the project: using sport, music and play not only as activities for children, but also as a way to reach families and create stronger connections around children who have a parent in prison.

The event is a starting point for further work with the community and with the prison service, with the aim better understanding the needs of Roma children with a parent in prison and ensuring these needs are better taken into account.