Bible-Based Primer Construction Project - Serbia

It is estimated that there are between 250,000 to 500,000 Roma living in Serbia, although the number of unregistered Roma is most likely significantly higher. The illiteracy rate among Roma people in Serbia is officially considered to be 15-20% and much higher than the national average. However, it is thought that in reality this illiteracy figure is much higher.  

Many Roma live in informal settlements with limited access to clean water, electricity, and basic infrastructure. Some Roma are also not officially registered and are therefore excluded from state institutions such as schools, health care, etc.

The unemployment rate among Roma is significantly higher than the national average, and many work in the informal sector, i.e. they work “under the table” as day laborers. The current daily wage is around $25. The Roma often work as harvest workers, gardeners, or construction workers. 

Providing a Bible-based reading course will enable churches and missionaries to reach the illiterate Roma in their communities with the gift of reading while sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with them. The estimated cost for this two-week Primer Construction Workshop is $4,912. This includes expenses for the workshop venue, accommodation and food for a team of 11 workers and other material expenses.  Donations received exceeding this amount will be used for the printing of the primer books and training of tutors.