Slovakia praised for work with Roma minority

New York Times used a Slovak village as a positive example of work with the Roma minority and its coexistence with remaining residents. The daily points to the eastern Slovak village of Spišský Hrhov where, in contrast to many other places in Europe, its Roma citizens work in the village's company. 20 years ago, before the current mayor Vladimír Ledecký was elected, the Roma lived in shacks without electricity. Almost all were unemployed and a fifth of the children were in so-called special schools that taught them little and segregated them. Ledecký employed them in the village's company and ever since, they have participated in building infrastructure and their houses. "Now, unemployment among the Roma is down to 20 percent, no children are sent to separate schools and three Roma residents are in college," wrote the NY Times.