I have a dream

Ioan Vasiliev Stoicev is a 15 year old young man with beautiful light green eyes, charming dimples and simple dreams. "I want to be a truck driver like my father. I want to have money", he says and smiles. "What would you buy with a million dollars?, I ask. The answer is not surprising: "A Mercedes! And I would buy many presents for my family". Ioan is a very respectful and thoughtful boy. He confesses that school is not so much fun, but he attends his classes every day.

Even so, Ioan doesn't want to continue studying. The harsh reality and the current situation of his family impels him to leave Dolna Banya and find a well paid job. Going to university or build a career are not options for him.

He opens up about a very sensitive subject, his Roma classmates. "I am not against this ethnic minority, but honestly, I don't trust them", says Ioan. Unfortunately, that’s the general stereotype about Roma people, both in Dolna Banya and in the rest of the world.

The majority of students in Dolna Banya school are Roma people. I met some of them. They speak English unexpectedly well and are thirsty for communication, friendship and social inclusion.

Despite his controversial opinion about Roma people, Ioan admits that before God, we are all equally wise and equally foolish, and that's a thought that everyone should accept.