He once had his own IT company and wanted to earn big money. Today Martin helps in Slovak Roma settlements | tnlive.sk

He once had his own IT company and wanted to earn big money. Today Martin helps in Slovak Roma settlements

He once looked down on them. Then he happened to wander in among them. He began to live with them, changed his mind, and today he helps them with all his heart. Martin Halík teaches Roma children and helps their families in remote Roma settlements in Slovakia. He once had his own IT firm and longed to earn big money. And although he has also set out on a spiritual path, he still works and spends his earnings mostly on helping others. He says that this way the money he earns makes more sense to him.

Martin Halík is a Czech who some years ago began to live with Roma in the Roma settlement in Klenovec near Rimavská Sobota. He had originally wanted to go and help people in need somewhere else, but when he saw the poverty here, he decided to stay and help, together with his wife and three children.

Although he had not had good experiences with Roma until then, he decided to stay. His opinion changed little by little as he got to know the people in Klenovec. He worked there until recently. Today, however, he helps in Markovce near Prešov.

“They taught me to be generous. When you go to visit someone there, they give you even the last thing they have. For example, when they had their last meal, they gave it to me. They also taught me to forgive. Among us, married couples often quarrel, split up and no longer speak to each other. I know a woman who stabbed her husband three times, and he was still able to forgive her. I do not excuse this deed, but I want to show by it that it is possible to forgive,” said Martin.

He teaches children

The children always look forward to lessons with the Orthodox priest Martin. In this Christmas season he teaches them the story of Christmas and the values of life.

“Above all they learn not to be selfish, and to notice others too. They learn to notice who needs help. They should not be proud,” said Martin.

One method has also worked well in the lessons: the older children help the younger ones with the material. By repeating it, the older children learn the subject even better, so well that they can explain it to the little ones.

“Since he has been here, I have learned not to sin. I no longer do wrong to others. Sunday school has helped us too. At least we are not bored at home, but we come, learn something and talk with Mr Halík. I was not very interested in church, but since Mr Halík has been here, I take more interest in it, and I believe more in God. I also help my mum more,” says one of the children.

Giving gifts to the children

Operation Christmas Child is about giving gifts. The loaded parcels are carried to a nearby village.

“The aim is to reach segregated communities. Because this project is worldwide, it often takes people to communities that can be reached only by boat, and where children never even get to school. We do not have such places here. The closest to it are the remote Roma settlements,” explained the Orthodox priest.