so JD you just learned some roma that’s roll up or die stadt oddish or what’s
roll up or die stadt oddish or what’s
roll up or die stadt oddish or what’s working what are you doing I know my
working what are you doing I know my
working what are you doing I know my buzzing may not be perfect but I wanted
buzzing may not be perfect but I wanted
buzzing may not be perfect but I wanted to talk to you today a little bit about
to talk to you today a little bit about
to talk to you today a little bit about how I arrived in this great city and
how I arrived in this great city and
how I arrived in this great city and what I’ve learned a little bit working
what I’ve learned a little bit working
what I’ve learned a little bit working with the Roman I first actually came
with the Roman I first actually came
with the Roman I first actually came into contact with robbaz back in all 40
into contact with robbaz back in all 40
into contact with robbaz back in all 40 of 2007 my wife and I went to a festival
of 2007 my wife and I went to a festival
of 2007 my wife and I went to a festival near our town and there was a guy at the
near our town and there was a guy at the
near our town and there was a guy at the festival Roma guy he had a sign and he
festival Roma guy he had a sign and he
festival Roma guy he had a sign and he was carrying around the whole day and it
was carrying around the whole day and it
was carrying around the whole day and it said he bald beyond war I was like wow I
said he bald beyond war I was like wow I
said he bald beyond war I was like wow I took a picture of it I couldn’t find my
took a picture of it I couldn’t find my
took a picture of it I couldn’t find my picture for this presentation
picture for this presentation
picture for this presentation unfortunately I was like hey there’s
unfortunately I was like hey there’s
unfortunately I was like hey there’s more to the Roma than I thought about
more to the Roma than I thought about
more to the Roma than I thought about and we were going around the festival
and we were going around the festival
and we were going around the festival and looking at all that all the things
and looking at all that all the things
and looking at all that all the things that different people have made and
that different people have made and
that different people have made and meeting Roma seeing performances and
meeting Roma seeing performances and
meeting Roma seeing performances and dance and their culture and and I hadn’t
dance and their culture and and I hadn’t
dance and their culture and and I hadn’t really thought much about Rome until I
really thought much about Rome until I
really thought much about Rome until I met my wife because she was interested
met my wife because she was interested
met my wife because she was interested in that and I was like wow Roma
in that and I was like wow Roma
in that and I was like wow Roma interesting you know you can see on
interesting you know you can see on
interesting you know you can see on their flag they have this wheel from
their flag they have this wheel from
their flag they have this wheel from their time many centuries ago when they
their time many centuries ago when they
their time many centuries ago when they were traveling from India cross through
were traveling from India cross through
were traveling from India cross through the Iran picking up different pieces of
the Iran picking up different pieces of
the Iran picking up different pieces of language along the way all the way into
language along the way all the way into
language along the way all the way into Europe from maybe the 9th century into
Europe from maybe the 9th century into
Europe from maybe the 9th century into 16th century they’re scattered all over
16th century they’re scattered all over
16th century they’re scattered all over Europe some of the largest Roma
Europe some of the largest Roma
Europe some of the largest Roma communities in Europe are in Bulgaria
communities in Europe are in Bulgaria
communities in Europe are in Bulgaria Romania Hungary we also have some in
Romania Hungary we also have some in
Romania Hungary we also have some in Serbia and in different areas even here
Serbia and in different areas even here
Serbia and in different areas even here in Bosnia we have 10,000 all told world
in Bosnia we have 10,000 all told world
in Bosnia we have 10,000 all told world why there’s something like estimated
why there’s something like estimated
why there’s something like estimated amount of 10 million
amount of 10 million
amount of 10 million Romo now Romo don’t off and identify as
Romo now Romo don’t off and identify as
Romo now Romo don’t off and identify as roma but through different researchers
roma but through different researchers
roma but through different researchers in DNA they can be traced that there a
in DNA they can be traced that there a
in DNA they can be traced that there a lot of their DNA comes from India
lot of their DNA comes from India
lot of their DNA comes from India originally this is my wife Cora Maria
originally this is my wife Cora Maria
originally this is my wife Cora Maria and she kind of sets the my discovery of
and she kind of sets the my discovery of
and she kind of sets the my discovery of aroma she first came to stereo in 2000
aroma she first came to stereo in 2000
aroma she first came to stereo in 2000 2002 2003 to visit and work with Roman
2002 2003 to visit and work with Roman
2002 2003 to visit and work with Roman on like a gap year after high school and
on like a gap year after high school and
on like a gap year after high school and she she fell in love with the room and
she she fell in love with the room and
she she fell in love with the room and she decided to go learn Bosnian Serb in
she decided to go learn Bosnian Serb in
she decided to go learn Bosnian Serb in creation in Austria and then she came
creation in Austria and then she came
creation in Austria and then she came back in her summers in different times
back in her summers in different times
back in her summers in different times and cut the dream could she build a
and cut the dream could she build a
and cut the dream could she build a preschool from her own she saw the
preschool from her own she saw the
preschool from her own she saw the plight of the Roma you know the EU calls
plight of the Roma you know the EU calls
plight of the Roma you know the EU calls them you know we’re sorry the world bank
them you know we’re sorry the world bank
them you know we’re sorry the world bank calls it one of the most struggling
calls it one of the most struggling
calls it one of the most struggling minorities largest struggling minority
minorities largest struggling minority
minorities largest struggling minority in Eastern Europe and eat and the seven
in Eastern Europe and eat and the seven
in Eastern Europe and eat and the seven the world bank also says seventy percent
the world bank also says seventy percent
the world bank also says seventy percent of Roma families are in deep poverty the
of Roma families are in deep poverty the
of Roma families are in deep poverty the EU has put many programs together to try
EU has put many programs together to try
EU has put many programs together to try to help Roma and they and they say to
to help Roma and they and they say to
to help Roma and they and they say to integrate Roma it’s it’s all of our
integrate Roma it’s it’s all of our
integrate Roma it’s it’s all of our responsibilities in the European
responsibilities in the European
responsibilities in the European community okay so some of these things
community okay so some of these things
community okay so some of these things you might not have been aware of about
you might not have been aware of about
you might not have been aware of about the Roma they’re really really
the Roma they’re really really
the Roma they’re really really challenged it to meet education health
challenged it to meet education health
challenged it to meet education health care and economic needs they have lots
care and economic needs they have lots
care and economic needs they have lots of gaps between them and the rest of
of gaps between them and the rest of
of gaps between them and the rest of normal people and so I I was like well
normal people and so I I was like well
normal people and so I I was like well maybe I can somehow influence get
maybe I can somehow influence get
maybe I can somehow influence get involved in this project of my wives how
involved in this project of my wives how
involved in this project of my wives how can i use my business background and
can i use my business background and
can i use my business background and support her desire to start this role of
support her desire to start this role of
support her desire to start this role of preschool and so you know we came on a
preschool and so you know we came on a
preschool and so you know we came on a visit like could like a business
visit like could like a business
visit like could like a business from America live in Bosnia it was a
from America live in Bosnia it was a
from America live in Bosnia it was a real big question for me else guy stood
real big question for me else guy stood
real big question for me else guy stood quite scared we came April 2008 and we
quite scared we came April 2008 and we
quite scared we came April 2008 and we drove the tuzla you know we went on the
drove the tuzla you know we went on the
drove the tuzla you know we went on the state road you know and it was just like
state road you know and it was just like
state road you know and it was just like oh can we pull over please and if and we
oh can we pull over please and if and we
oh can we pull over please and if and we got to Tuzla and my wife Brandon is so
got to Tuzla and my wife Brandon is so
got to Tuzla and my wife Brandon is so much she knew there was a Roman in the
much she knew there was a Roman in the
much she knew there was a Roman in the center of Tuzla that you knew and we had
center of Tuzla that you knew and we had
center of Tuzla that you knew and we had a coffee with her and I was really
a coffee with her and I was really
a coffee with her and I was really shocked at how small the community was
shocked at how small the community was
shocked at how small the community was glossy in general but the Roma community
glossy in general but the Roma community
glossy in general but the Roma community and I started to gain some some
and I started to gain some some
and I started to gain some some understanding of their different
understanding of their different
understanding of their different challenges i visited some different
challenges i visited some different
challenges i visited some different settlements and baratza dulles Martha
settlements and baratza dulles Martha
settlements and baratza dulles Martha and I started to understand a little bit
and I started to understand a little bit
and I started to understand a little bit about the Roman towards the end of the
about the Roman towards the end of the
about the Roman towards the end of the week I was able to give a speech to
week I was able to give a speech to
week I was able to give a speech to aroma group and a better and Lady
aroma group and a better and Lady
aroma group and a better and Lady veteran translated into Bosnia for me I
veteran translated into Bosnia for me I
veteran translated into Bosnia for me I I was really passionate about my
I was really passionate about my
I was really passionate about my background which comes from a mixed-race
background which comes from a mixed-race
background which comes from a mixed-race family I’m african-american Irish and
family I’m african-american Irish and
family I’m african-american Irish and German and all through my life I had not
German and all through my life I had not
German and all through my life I had not believed the myths and lies about what
believed the myths and lies about what
believed the myths and lies about what could hold me back as an
could hold me back as an
could hold me back as an african-american or essa a dark person
african-american or essa a dark person
african-american or essa a dark person and I always just gone forward and into
and I always just gone forward and into
and I always just gone forward and into the abyss I didn’t know it was possible
the abyss I didn’t know it was possible
the abyss I didn’t know it was possible different a lot of my family different
different a lot of my family different
different a lot of my family different people had come from great great
people had come from great great
people had come from great great grandson of slaves you know my
grandson of slaves you know my
grandson of slaves you know my grandfather was on the on the
grandfather was on the on the
grandfather was on the on the Mississippi going in the backs of places
Mississippi going in the backs of places
Mississippi going in the backs of places and places where you weren’t supposed to
and places where you weren’t supposed to
and places where you weren’t supposed to be as a as an african-american or you
be as a as an african-american or you
be as a as an african-american or you might get lynched and I heard all these
might get lynched and I heard all these
might get lynched and I heard all these stories growing up but I never believed
stories growing up but I never believed
stories growing up but I never believed them I just was like I’ll just ignore
them I just was like I’ll just ignore
them I just was like I’ll just ignore everything and try to do what I can do
everything and try to do what I can do
everything and try to do what I can do and I felt like this this chameleon with
and I felt like this this chameleon with
and I felt like this this chameleon with the Roman that like I could show them
the Roman that like I could show them
the Roman that like I could show them the way maybe I could show them the way
the way maybe I could show them the way
the way maybe I could show them the way you know african-americans had come out
you know african-americans had come out
you know african-americans had come out of their slavery Africa
of their slavery Africa
of their slavery Africa that come out of their educational honey
that come out of their educational honey
that come out of their educational honey unequal pneus african-americans had
unequal pneus african-americans had
unequal pneus african-americans had found great leaders like Martin Luther
found great leaders like Martin Luther
found great leaders like Martin Luther King to bridge the gap to the wider
King to bridge the gap to the wider
King to bridge the gap to the wider community to bring in the African
community to bring in the African
community to bring in the African Americans to the American community why
Americans to the American community why
Americans to the American community why couldn’t I be the bridge maybe for the
couldn’t I be the bridge maybe for the
couldn’t I be the bridge maybe for the Roman into the boss and community how
Roman into the boss and community how
Roman into the boss and community how could I be a person who made awareness
could I be a person who made awareness
could I be a person who made awareness for the Bosnians of Roma what could i do
for the Bosnians of Roma what could i do
for the Bosnians of Roma what could i do and i gave this impassioned speech about
and i gave this impassioned speech about
and i gave this impassioned speech about Martha Martin Luther King it was
Martha Martin Luther King it was
Martha Martin Luther King it was interesting we heard about that earlier
interesting we heard about that earlier
interesting we heard about that earlier and to this Roman group and I was well
and to this Roman group and I was well
and to this Roman group and I was well received I was surprised they were they
received I was surprised they were they
received I was surprised they were they were interested to improve education for
were interested to improve education for
were interested to improve education for the families they were interested to do
the families they were interested to do
the families they were interested to do things to grab the brass ring so to
things to grab the brass ring so to
things to grab the brass ring so to speak and I went away kind of feeling
speak and I went away kind of feeling
speak and I went away kind of feeling connected that I might have a purpose if
connected that I might have a purpose if
connected that I might have a purpose if I came to Sarajevo I end up coming
I came to Sarajevo I end up coming
I came to Sarajevo I end up coming sooner than I thought I came its temper
sooner than I thought I came its temper
sooner than I thought I came its temper of 2008 and you know I was at first just
of 2008 and you know I was at first just
of 2008 and you know I was at first just overwhelmed of course by the culture and
overwhelmed of course by the culture and
overwhelmed of course by the culture and my language barrier and different things
my language barrier and different things
my language barrier and different things that I had problems just trying to
that I had problems just trying to
that I had problems just trying to adjust but I was really impressed to see
adjust but I was really impressed to see
adjust but I was really impressed to see different positive aspects of the Roman
different positive aspects of the Roman
different positive aspects of the Roman community I mean we all heard the
community I mean we all heard the
community I mean we all heard the negative aspects we all know that
negative aspects we all know that
negative aspects we all know that they’re collecting trash to stay alive
they’re collecting trash to stay alive
they’re collecting trash to stay alive there may be begging here or there we
there may be begging here or there we
there may be begging here or there we call panhandling in America bothering
call panhandling in America bothering
call panhandling in America bothering somebody here there but what I started
somebody here there but what I started
somebody here there but what I started to do was to serve the Roma and that’s
to do was to serve the Roma and that’s
to do was to serve the Roma and that’s kind of the point one of my messages my
kind of the point one of my messages my
kind of the point one of my messages my main message tonight is when you serve
main message tonight is when you serve
main message tonight is when you serve someone you learn about yourself you
someone you learn about yourself you
someone you learn about yourself you know and I overcame this prejudice i had
know and I overcame this prejudice i had
know and I overcame this prejudice i had about panhandlers i used to really like
about panhandlers i used to really like
about panhandlers i used to really like wonder about these people who were
wonder about these people who were
wonder about these people who were begging my sure would do that well
begging my sure would do that well
begging my sure would do that well if you had a choice this deal or to beg
if you had a choice this deal or to beg
if you had a choice this deal or to beg what would you do well maybe you would
what would you do well maybe you would
what would you do well maybe you would choose to steal but maybe you would
choose to steal but maybe you would
choose to steal but maybe you would choose the bank and maybe I shouldn’t
choose the bank and maybe I shouldn’t
choose the bank and maybe I shouldn’t look down on beggars who are taking like
look down on beggars who are taking like
look down on beggars who are taking like a maybe ethical way out of this dilemma
a maybe ethical way out of this dilemma
a maybe ethical way out of this dilemma economic dilemma they had and I started
economic dilemma they had and I started
economic dilemma they had and I started to understand their mm I didn’t I wasn’t
to understand their mm I didn’t I wasn’t
to understand their mm I didn’t I wasn’t showering them with money I didn’t
showering them with money I didn’t
showering them with money I didn’t really give money I took up the meals
really give money I took up the meals
really give money I took up the meals and and try to get into a conversation
and and try to get into a conversation
and and try to get into a conversation with them and that’s another point on me
with them and that’s another point on me
with them and that’s another point on me later trying to figure out were they
later trying to figure out were they
later trying to figure out were they willing to make the sacrifices and do
willing to make the sacrifices and do
willing to make the sacrifices and do what it takes for the next generation
what it takes for the next generation
what it takes for the next generation for their children were they willing to
for their children were they willing to
for their children were they willing to make some sacrifices like my mother or
make some sacrifices like my mother or
make some sacrifices like my mother or my father had made to get me to a good
my father had made to get me to a good
my father had made to get me to a good high school and get me to college really
high school and get me to college really
high school and get me to college really willing to take her children the way it
willing to take her children the way it
willing to take her children the way it is here in Bosnian to school every
is here in Bosnian to school every
is here in Bosnian to school every single day and were they able to help
single day and were they able to help
single day and were they able to help their children or find an after-school
their children or find an after-school
their children or find an after-school homework program or find some program to
homework program or find some program to
homework program or find some program to help them really stay in school what I
help them really stay in school what I
help them really stay in school what I really felt attractive by mine this is
really felt attractive by mine this is
really felt attractive by mine this is picture my daughter was the little
picture my daughter was the little
picture my daughter was the little non-related middle there and me out on
non-related middle there and me out on
non-related middle there and me out on one of these suburbs or serving
one of these suburbs or serving
one of these suburbs or serving opportunities but what I was really
opportunities but what I was really
opportunities but what I was really excited about it was telling about this
excited about it was telling about this
excited about it was telling about this project we started with preschool my
project we started with preschool my
project we started with preschool my wife had this idea to start a preschool
wife had this idea to start a preschool
wife had this idea to start a preschool called devil engine chevere or God’s
called devil engine chevere or God’s
called devil engine chevere or God’s kids and to really really just the poor
kids and to really really just the poor
kids and to really really just the poor love and the kids she got like a dream
love and the kids she got like a dream
love and the kids she got like a dream that said hey if you can affect the
that said hey if you can affect the
that said hey if you can affect the first generate the early generation you
first generate the early generation you
first generate the early generation you can affect the whole people group and we
can affect the whole people group and we
can affect the whole people group and we at first we weren’t sure what to do with
at first we weren’t sure what to do with
at first we weren’t sure what to do with this how should we start this and she
this how should we start this and she
this how should we start this and she started a mother child group and they
started a mother child group and they
started a mother child group and they got a mother’s needle sharing best
got a mother’s needle sharing best
got a mother’s needle sharing best practices and supporting each other and
practices and supporting each other and
practices and supporting each other and then the group grew and and then pretty
then the group grew and and then pretty
then the group grew and and then pretty soon you had like 20 kids meeting at the
soon you had like 20 kids meeting at the
soon you had like 20 kids meeting at the a rented office space or apartment and
a rented office space or apartment and
a rented office space or apartment and every week and we started to get the
every week and we started to get the
every week and we started to get the formation of a potential for a preschool
formation of a potential for a preschool
formation of a potential for a preschool preschool takes three things it takes
preschool takes three things it takes
preschool takes three things it takes the students the kids a place that’s
the students the kids a place that’s
the students the kids a place that’s kind of suitable and safe and also take
kind of suitable and safe and also take
kind of suitable and safe and also take the workers that really have a heart for
the workers that really have a heart for
the workers that really have a heart for jewelry and so we had the place we had
jewelry and so we had the place we had
jewelry and so we had the place we had the children and now we needed a key
the children and now we needed a key
the children and now we needed a key component which is workers and so my
component which is workers and so my
component which is workers and so my wife went about creating a she had gone
wife went about creating a she had gone
wife went about creating a she had gone to school United States that’s how we
to school United States that’s how we
to school United States that’s how we met she was there getting her preschool
met she was there getting her preschool
met she was there getting her preschool degree in taught preschool for a year
degree in taught preschool for a year
degree in taught preschool for a year and a half in inner city area in San
and a half in inner city area in San
and a half in inner city area in San Francisco near San Francisco and so she
Francisco near San Francisco and so she
Francisco near San Francisco and so she had some experience with the curriculum
had some experience with the curriculum
had some experience with the curriculum ssin with the early childhood education
ssin with the early childhood education
ssin with the early childhood education and she started to put a training
and she started to put a training
and she started to put a training program together for some roma that were
program together for some roma that were
program together for some roma that were interested to work at the preschool and
interested to work at the preschool and
interested to work at the preschool and so it was really great that we had the
so it was really great that we had the
so it was really great that we had the ability to receive over a three-year
ability to receive over a three-year
ability to receive over a three-year period about 18 kids in total 15 who
period about 18 kids in total 15 who
period about 18 kids in total 15 who regularly attended the program with
regularly attended the program with
regularly attended the program with about eight kids who ended up going on
about eight kids who ended up going on
about eight kids who ended up going on and are still at school today and what
and are still at school today and what
and are still at school today and what was really mean of course there are lots
was really mean of course there are lots
was really mean of course there are lots of ups and downs and lots of things
of ups and downs and lots of things
of ups and downs and lots of things happening but really it was about
happening but really it was about
happening but really it was about preparing those kids and those families
preparing those kids and those families
preparing those kids and those families for the daily grind of getting your kid
for the daily grind of getting your kid
for the daily grind of getting your kid to school I mean I don’t care enough
to school I mean I don’t care enough
to school I mean I don’t care enough three kids and it’s not it’s not all
three kids and it’s not it’s not all
three kids and it’s not it’s not all it’s cracked up to be you really have to
it’s cracked up to be you really have to
it’s cracked up to be you really have to motivate your kids to go to school you
motivate your kids to go to school you
motivate your kids to go to school you really have to get there on time you all
really have to get there on time you all
really have to get there on time you all these things you have to do and if
these things you have to do and if
these things you have to do and if you’re not that was in your upbringing
you’re not that was in your upbringing
you’re not that was in your upbringing you don’t really have the tools or the
you don’t really have the tools or the
you don’t really have the tools or the motivation for them so it’s very
motivation for them so it’s very
motivation for them so it’s very interesting to see that we found a small
interesting to see that we found a small
interesting to see that we found a small percentage of Roman
percentage of Roman
percentage of Roman was interested in that and got them
was interested in that and got them
was interested in that and got them motivated in and the kids were coming
motivated in and the kids were coming
motivated in and the kids were coming into the curriculum the curriculum was
into the curriculum the curriculum was
into the curriculum the curriculum was just mostly fun activities the main
just mostly fun activities the main
just mostly fun activities the main attraction was the warm meal and of
attraction was the warm meal and of
attraction was the warm meal and of course getting on a regular schedule
course getting on a regular schedule
course getting on a regular schedule learning grooming habits learning all
learning grooming habits learning all
learning grooming habits learning all kinds of things about timing and clocks
kinds of things about timing and clocks
kinds of things about timing and clocks and and all the things that we’re all
and and all the things that we’re all
and and all the things that we’re all raised with their normal for us but
raised with their normal for us but
raised with their normal for us but Barone it’s not it’s it I have a very
Barone it’s not it’s it I have a very
Barone it’s not it’s it I have a very special and complimentary turned called
special and complimentary turned called
special and complimentary turned called Roma Bremen and everything happens when
Roma Bremen and everything happens when
Roma Bremen and everything happens when it happens it doesn’t happen on a
it happens it doesn’t happen on a
it happens it doesn’t happen on a specific time schedule but they have a
specific time schedule but they have a
specific time schedule but they have a piece for that there’s a piece that
piece for that there’s a piece that
piece for that there’s a piece that comes with that and I learned a lot from
comes with that and I learned a lot from
comes with that and I learned a lot from the Roman I learned by serving I was
the Roman I learned by serving I was
the Roman I learned by serving I was serving aroma and I was learning about
serving aroma and I was learning about
serving aroma and I was learning about myself a real big benefit that we didn’t
myself a real big benefit that we didn’t
myself a real big benefit that we didn’t understand was the three Roma workers
understand was the three Roma workers
understand was the three Roma workers that were working on our preschool did
that were working on our preschool did
that were working on our preschool did we heart and trade romo workers in it we
we heart and trade romo workers in it we
we heart and trade romo workers in it we saw them develop they gain skills they
saw them develop they gain skills they
saw them develop they gain skills they started having job offers outside of the
started having job offers outside of the
started having job offers outside of the school they were happy giving back to
school they were happy giving back to
school they were happy giving back to their community they’re interested in a
their community they’re interested in a
their community they’re interested in a development of the children and you know
development of the children and you know
development of the children and you know they gain valuable experience in terms
they gain valuable experience in terms
they gain valuable experience in terms of what I did of course I was just the
of what I did of course I was just the
of what I did of course I was just the partner tagged along about Sarajevo my
partner tagged along about Sarajevo my
partner tagged along about Sarajevo my wife’s dream but I was the administrator
wife’s dream but I was the administrator
wife’s dream but I was the administrator of the NGO I was make sure the boys got
of the NGO I was make sure the boys got
of the NGO I was make sure the boys got paid on time I was going to the
paid on time I was going to the
paid on time I was going to the accountant filing the papers making sure
accountant filing the papers making sure
accountant filing the papers making sure everything was about was above board or
everything was about was above board or
everything was about was above board or on the NGO and signing the contracts
on the NGO and signing the contracts
on the NGO and signing the contracts with the employees and thinking about
with the employees and thinking about
with the employees and thinking about things and talking with my wife about
things and talking with my wife about
things and talking with my wife about leadership I’ll leadership issues in the
leadership I’ll leadership issues in the
leadership I’ll leadership issues in the preschool it’s a lot it was a lot about
preschool it’s a lot it was a lot about
preschool it’s a lot it was a lot about just going the extra mile to make those
just going the extra mile to make those
just going the extra mile to make those employees feel really appreciate it and
employees feel really appreciate it and
employees feel really appreciate it and when ice was serving others I learned a
when ice was serving others I learned a
when ice was serving others I learned a lot about myself I learned how hard it
lot about myself I learned how hard it
lot about myself I learned how hard it is to maintain a preschool after about
is to maintain a preschool after about
is to maintain a preschool after about three years our to preschool leaders had
three years our to preschool leaders had
three years our to preschool leaders had more kids my wife had their third child
more kids my wife had their third child
more kids my wife had their third child and the other
and the other
and the other teacher had her third child and we were
teacher had her third child and we were
teacher had her third child and we were missing one component that we needed at
missing one component that we needed at
missing one component that we needed at the preschool which was the workers we
the preschool which was the workers we
the preschool which was the workers we have a final graduation party I think we
have a final graduation party I think we
have a final graduation party I think we have two or three graduation parties are
have two or three graduation parties are
have two or three graduation parties are their barbecues and we ended up just
their barbecues and we ended up just
their barbecues and we ended up just putting the curriculum on the shelf and
putting the curriculum on the shelf and
putting the curriculum on the shelf and we’re waiting now for our next
we’re waiting now for our next
we’re waiting now for our next opportunity to reopen the preschool the
opportunity to reopen the preschool the
opportunity to reopen the preschool the other so I think really what alcohol
other so I think really what alcohol
other so I think really what alcohol that I learned was we touched the
that I learned was we touched the
that I learned was we touched the parents a lot we this the kids that I
parents a lot we this the kids that I
parents a lot we this the kids that I mean in terms of our commitment to their
mean in terms of our commitment to their
mean in terms of our commitment to their children trying to pour into them we had
children trying to pour into them we had
children trying to pour into them we had some quotes from Bosnians like I didn’t
some quotes from Bosnians like I didn’t
some quotes from Bosnians like I didn’t recognize that kid before now I know who
recognize that kid before now I know who
recognize that kid before now I know who he is and he’s well behaved and lots of
he is and he’s well behaved and lots of
he is and he’s well behaved and lots of interesting feedback and I meant it a
interesting feedback and I meant it a
interesting feedback and I meant it a really fun new friend I have this friend
really fun new friend I have this friend
really fun new friend I have this friend his name jazz me he was one of the co
his name jazz me he was one of the co
his name jazz me he was one of the co teachers and here’s the picture of some
teachers and here’s the picture of some
teachers and here’s the picture of some pictures of the preschool they’re a
pictures of the preschool they’re a
pictures of the preschool they’re a little dark seas hard to see but it’s
little dark seas hard to see but it’s
little dark seas hard to see but it’s like a typical preschool kids doing lots
like a typical preschool kids doing lots
like a typical preschool kids doing lots of arts and crafts and stuff and my
of arts and crafts and stuff and my
of arts and crafts and stuff and my daughter’s in the picture there of
daughter’s in the picture there of
daughter’s in the picture there of course she was going to the preschool
course she was going to the preschool
course she was going to the preschool she’s now eight but here’s my friend yes
she’s now eight but here’s my friend yes
she’s now eight but here’s my friend yes me he told me I could use this Facebook
me he told me I could use this Facebook
me he told me I could use this Facebook page photo and I want to tell you a
page photo and I want to tell you a
page photo and I want to tell you a little bit about it because I’m proud to
little bit about it because I’m proud to
little bit about it because I’m proud to call he asked me my friend what can I
call he asked me my friend what can I
call he asked me my friend what can I say about him he’s a child of the war
say about him he’s a child of the war
say about him he’s a child of the war you know he left Bosnian during the war
you know he left Bosnian during the war
you know he left Bosnian during the war with his parents they took him to
with his parents they took him to
with his parents they took him to Germany and his his uh to brother his
Germany and his his uh to brother his
Germany and his his uh to brother his brother and two sisters and you know he
brother and two sisters and you know he
brother and two sisters and you know he learned German he started playing soccer
learned German he started playing soccer
learned German he started playing soccer over there then the war ended and they
over there then the war ended and they
over there then the war ended and they came back of course when they came back
came back of course when they came back
came back of course when they came back somebody was in their house and to
somebody was in their house and to
somebody was in their house and to battle for their house get like some
battle for their house get like some
battle for their house get like some quarters get some people out of the
quarters get some people out of the
quarters get some people out of the house but while he grew up in Bosnia he
house but while he grew up in Bosnia he
house but while he grew up in Bosnia he was a talent soccer player and he got
was a talent soccer player and he got
was a talent soccer player and he got drafted into the sockers called gelio
drafted into the sockers called gelio
drafted into the sockers called gelio before he can make us great to view of
before he can make us great to view of
before he can make us great to view of course he injured himself but he decided
course he injured himself but he decided
course he injured himself but he decided to start college and he started
to start college and he started
to start college and he started University Syria with criminology and
University Syria with criminology and
University Syria with criminology and he’s right now I his last step writing
he’s right now I his last step writing
he’s right now I his last step writing his thesis he finishes the last test I
his thesis he finishes the last test I
his thesis he finishes the last test I think
think
think this semester and he’s just about he’s
this semester and he’s just about he’s
this semester and he’s just about he’s asking now how old oh what’s that how’s
asking now how old oh what’s that how’s
asking now how old oh what’s that how’s that look with the thesis he wrote some
that look with the thesis he wrote some
that look with the thesis he wrote some papers he wrote some things but he never
papers he wrote some things but he never
papers he wrote some things but he never wrote a big thesis on I’ve been coaching
wrote a big thesis on I’ve been coaching
wrote a big thesis on I’ve been coaching him from time to time or ask him what
him from time to time or ask him what
him from time to time or ask him what his motivation for his education is and
his motivation for his education is and
his motivation for his education is and I’ve been really impressed by his
I’ve been really impressed by his
I’ve been really impressed by his persistence to get through that I’m
persistence to get through that I’m
persistence to get through that I’m really hanging out with him a lot mostly
really hanging out with him a lot mostly
really hanging out with him a lot mostly because my wife and his wife her best
because my wife and his wife her best
because my wife and his wife her best friends and have a real interesting
friends and have a real interesting
friends and have a real interesting story about how actually we became for
story about how actually we became for
story about how actually we became for it we had some disagreements we raise
it we had some disagreements we raise
it we had some disagreements we raise our kids different our kids were always
our kids different our kids were always
our kids different our kids were always playing together one time I was we made
playing together one time I was we made
playing together one time I was we made it I ate dinner in his house once a week
it I ate dinner in his house once a week
it I ate dinner in his house once a week for three years in a row and one of
for three years in a row and one of
for three years in a row and one of those times his son picked up a toy gun
those times his son picked up a toy gun
those times his son picked up a toy gun pointed in my daughter’s face and I got
pointed in my daughter’s face and I got
pointed in my daughter’s face and I got really scared and I grabbed it of course
really scared and I grabbed it of course
really scared and I grabbed it of course nesting was right there it’s Roman we
nesting was right there it’s Roman we
nesting was right there it’s Roman we all know I mean we’re living in not such
all know I mean we’re living in not such
all know I mean we’re living in not such big places and everybody’s in the same
big places and everybody’s in the same
big places and everybody’s in the same room and I didn’t think of any anything
room and I didn’t think of any anything
room and I didn’t think of any anything of the incident I just reacting as a
of the incident I just reacting as a
of the incident I just reacting as a father would protecting his daughter and
father would protecting his daughter and
father would protecting his daughter and a couple days a couple weeks later he
a couple days a couple weeks later he
a couple days a couple weeks later he came up to me he said you know why
came up to me he said you know why
came up to me he said you know why didn’t you ask me about that why don’t
didn’t you ask me about that why don’t
didn’t you ask me about that why don’t you ask me about what my son was doing I
you ask me about what my son was doing I
you ask me about what my son was doing I could handle that instead of you and it
could handle that instead of you and it
could handle that instead of you and it seemed like we’re coming to a conversate
seemed like we’re coming to a conversate
seemed like we’re coming to a conversate confrontation and I you know I didn’t
confrontation and I you know I didn’t
confrontation and I you know I didn’t know what exactly do the blood circle
know what exactly do the blood circle
know what exactly do the blood circle raise up a little bit me and house kind
raise up a little bit me and house kind
raise up a little bit me and house kind of like I was just reacting to what your
of like I was just reacting to what your
of like I was just reacting to what your son did buddy I was defending my
son did buddy I was defending my
son did buddy I was defending my daughter and we’re going back forth a
daughter and we’re going back forth a
daughter and we’re going back forth a little bit a couple of times then I
little bit a couple of times then I
little bit a couple of times then I started to step back and get to the balc
started to step back and get to the balc
started to step back and get to the balc a little bit back and see what was going
a little bit back and see what was going
a little bit back and see what was going on in the situation I was there but my
on in the situation I was there but my
on in the situation I was there but my spirit was outside and seeing and I saw
spirit was outside and seeing and I saw
spirit was outside and seeing and I saw hey I was wrong he has an objection to
hey I was wrong he has an objection to
hey I was wrong he has an objection to how I handle situation I should just
how I handle situation I should just
how I handle situation I should just apologize and come down off my high
apologize and come down off my high
apologize and come down off my high horse that I know how better to deal
horse that I know how better to deal
horse that I know how better to deal with situation that he did
with situation that he did
with situation that he did I’m in his house I’m taking away from
I’m in his house I’m taking away from
I’m in his house I’m taking away from his dog I’m taking something away from
his dog I’m taking something away from
his dog I’m taking something away from his son and he’s right there I should
his son and he’s right there I should
his son and he’s right there I should have asked them I said yeah you’re right
have asked them I said yeah you’re right
have asked them I said yeah you’re right I should’ve asked you and in that moment
I should’ve asked you and in that moment
I should’ve asked you and in that moment the situation diffused and from that
the situation diffused and from that
the situation diffused and from that time on yes Ben and I became friends
time on yes Ben and I became friends
time on yes Ben and I became friends before that I don’t think yes mean could
before that I don’t think yes mean could
before that I don’t think yes mean could really communicate with me so well or we
really communicate with me so well or we
really communicate with me so well or we didn’t really have a relationship but
didn’t really have a relationship but
didn’t really have a relationship but after that or a relationship starting to
after that or a relationship starting to
after that or a relationship starting to grow and actually I was already
grow and actually I was already
grow and actually I was already listening a lot to him thinking a lot
listening a lot to him thinking a lot
listening a lot to him thinking a lot about things he had to say and but now
about things he had to say and but now
about things he had to say and but now he started to take some the input from
he started to take some the input from
he started to take some the input from me which was interesting and now we
me which was interesting and now we
me which was interesting and now we started to like build up our friendship
started to like build up our friendship
started to like build up our friendship and build up a relationship and that was
and build up a relationship and that was
and build up a relationship and that was really interesting for me I don’t know
really interesting for me I don’t know
really interesting for me I don’t know it might not be so familiar but as a
it might not be so familiar but as a
it might not be so familiar but as a foreigner in a foreign land it’s very
foreigner in a foreign land it’s very
foreigner in a foreign land it’s very hard to make close friends because most
hard to make close friends because most
hard to make close friends because most people think he’ll just be here for your
people think he’ll just be here for your
people think he’ll just be here for your two or three and you built what been
two or three and you built what been
two or three and you built what been here almost nine years now so maybe a
here almost nine years now so maybe a
here almost nine years now so maybe a little bit different but it was really
little bit different but it was really
little bit different but it was really great that to hear about to see ya seen
great that to hear about to see ya seen
great that to hear about to see ya seen in his growth and how his family’s been
in his growth and how his family’s been
in his growth and how his family’s been growing he’s got three kids and and see
growing he’s got three kids and and see
growing he’s got three kids and and see how he’s stewarding his family to see
how he’s stewarding his family to see
how he’s stewarding his family to see how he is with eating his family and to
how he is with eating his family and to
how he is with eating his family and to lurk and to see his commitment and
lurk and to see his commitment and
lurk and to see his commitment and persistence to pursue his education and
persistence to pursue his education and
persistence to pursue his education and change his family for the better for the
change his family for the better for the
change his family for the better for the future his son and my daughter in the
future his son and my daughter in the
future his son and my daughter in the same class in third grade here that in
same class in third grade here that in
same class in third grade here that in paid them and in this local schools and
paid them and in this local schools and
paid them and in this local schools and it’s really a benefit to have friends
it’s really a benefit to have friends
it’s really a benefit to have friends like that and so as I was working with
like that and so as I was working with
like that and so as I was working with Roma I learned something about myself
Roma I learned something about myself
Roma I learned something about myself and I grew and I’m really thankful that
and I grew and I’m really thankful that
and I grew and I’m really thankful that I really got involved and so what am I
I really got involved and so what am I
I really got involved and so what am I asking you to do today I’m gonna ask you
asking you to do today I’m gonna ask you
asking you to do today I’m gonna ask you to do something next time you might go
to do something next time you might go
to do something next time you might go by Romo who’s paying for something talks
by Romo who’s paying for something talks
by Romo who’s paying for something talks up for a second and talk to them find
up for a second and talk to them find
up for a second and talk to them find out their name figure out what’s going
out their name figure out what’s going
out their name figure out what’s going on in their life take them for a coffee
on in their life take them for a coffee
on in their life take them for a coffee or a meal see what they what’s happening
or a meal see what they what’s happening
or a meal see what they what’s happening for them
for them
for them if there’s any advice you can give them
if there’s any advice you can give them
if there’s any advice you can give them or there’s any encouragement you can
or there’s any encouragement you can
or there’s any encouragement you can give them maybe just maybe you’ll be
give them maybe just maybe you’ll be
give them maybe just maybe you’ll be able to have an impact on their life and
able to have an impact on their life and
able to have an impact on their life and maybe your act of kindness will
maybe your act of kindness will
maybe your act of kindness will encourage them in the next step of their
encourage them in the next step of their
encourage them in the next step of their life I think we’re all part of the same
life I think we’re all part of the same
life I think we’re all part of the same human family and if one part of us is
human family and if one part of us is
human family and if one part of us is struggling then it could in fact all of
struggling then it could in fact all of
struggling then it could in fact all of us so I think if we help others to be
us so I think if we help others to be
us so I think if we help others to be included and to get healthy and to grow
included and to get healthy and to grow
included and to get healthy and to grow it’ll be better for all of us in the end
it’ll be better for all of us in the end
it’ll be better for all of us in the end thanks very much
thanks very much
thanks very much [Applause]
”
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