Delfina's first sewing-machine
Source:Politika Date: 22.9.2007.
One of our readers wanted to give a present to a talented girl who likes chemistry, literature and sewing, who lives in the settlement under the bridge Gazela. Two days ago minister of education visited her.
When she made her first dress, couple of years ago, Delfina Ferizović (18) did not dream about choosing this profession when she enroll high school. This talented deaf-and-dumb girl, who lives with her parents in the Roma settlement under the bridge Gazela, has completed elementary school with excellent grades. She also won the gold medal at the republic competition in chemistry. Two days ago she got school books from the minister of education, Zoran Lončar, and she will also apply for a scholarship. People were moved by success of a girl that realized the importance of education. Thus one of our readers called our office and said she wanted to give Delfina a sewing machine. The girl was delighted by the present and she said she could finally create and sew nice clothes for her family and herself.
– Last year when Delfina had to decide which school to enrol, she came to our school and she liked the cabinet for sewing most. She did not want to be a hair-dresser, this profession was more attractive to her. She is very responsible and it is already clear that she will be very successful – said Lepa Petrović, principal of high school for deaf children “Stefan Dečanski”.
Delfina, who has just started attending the first grade, says that chemistry is still her favourite subject, but that she also likes literature. She often writes poems or stories, when she does not know how to express her feelings. At a piece of paper she hung on a door of a room, out of the two in which she lives with her mother, father, younger brother and elder brother's family, Delfina wrote “Delfina – the best writer in Italy”. She wants to make a difference between that corner and the rest of their dilapilated house she lives in and she wants to show one of her biggest wishes – to see cultural and natural beauties of Italy.
Although she grew up in a dilapilated shack under the bridge Gazela, without electricity, water and basic hygienic conditions, Delfina withstood life which was expected of her, despite the hard illness that took away her hearing and speech. She chose to study instead of getting married or collecting paper, as her parents do. Fortunately, her parents approved her choice.
– Last year when Delfina had to decide which school to
– We are aware of the fact that children cannot find a job without education. Neither I nor my husband work and nobody wants to employ us, as we are not qualified for any job. Therefore we are very proud of Delfina's success. She studies in the room in which we all live. In the evening, when she studies, we try not to disturb her, so we usually spend an hour or two in the neighbourhood – says Delfina's mother Gordana and adds that during all these years it was hard for them to provide books and other things she needed for school. However, administration of the elementary school “Radivoj Popović” in Zemun, which their daughter have attended for the last eight years, has always tried to help them.
When Delfina's parents go out to collect paper, she is in charge of running the household. Then she takes a ladle and at the same time babysit two children of her elder brother David (22).
She also teaches her younger brother Davor (9), helping him to do exercises in maths, Serbian language and natural science.
It does not keep her from getting good marks at school, so that her mother proudly says, with a smile on her face, “I am sure she is going to be an excellent dressmaker!”
J. Popadić
|
About board
|
