Djurdjevo is a small village in the region of Vojvodina. There are 5,000 people in this village and its Roma community makes up slightly over 10% of the total population. Among the 500 Roma people, 200 are children and they live in a camp. The Romani people are generally the poorest people and the most marginalized group in Serbia. The Evangelical Church of Kucura started 10 years ago by bringing the good news of Christ that can truly change lives in this community.

Most of the Roma children are malnourished. Some spend most of their days outdoors, sometimes even during the night and the older ones are involved in drugs. We started with programs for the children and continue with these programs as we believe in the importance of investing in children as they our future generation. They need an education to have a better life, to persevere against and overcome discrimination. We assist them with their school work. In addition, we serve them a meal knowing that a child learns better with a full stomach. We encourage them to finish primary school and provide them with a stipend so that they continue and graduate from high school. For some we try to help them start their own business.

Life is hard for the Romani people. Work is hard to come by, men are involved with the gangs, with drugs and alcohol whilst the women are caught up in prostitution. Over the years we see a decline in crime and prostitution. Even more children remain in school. However, we continue to pour into this camp as there is evidence these problems still linger.

We also provide help to the elderly because they are generally left to fend for themselves. They receive a very small pension a month. Some of the elderly live without electricity, water, and most have never visited a doctor.

Every week, we prepare 700 meals to feed Roma children and the elderly in 5 villages. In our church, with the help of High5Give5, we feed 100 persons, 80 children and 20 elderly persons.