Children win support from Scots politicians

SCOTTISH gypsies, keen to preserve their time-honoured wanderings, remain among the marginalised groups in rural society.

In an era where the "no blacks, no Irish, no dogs" signs of the early 20th century are unthinkable, the travelling community still faces racist abuse and difficulty accessing services.

Nowteenagetravellersfromthe Highlands, taunted for "casting spells" and wearing "silly clothes", have taken theirfightagainstdiscriminationto Brussels.

The group met MEPs in the European parliament to gather support for an awareness-raising campaign they have already taken into schools.

Funded by the Scottish government, their "Who We Are" workshops allow modern gypsy children to explain their way of life and correct misconceptions.

Shantelle Johnstone, 15, travels with her family much of the year, but hopes to complete her Highers in the winter and go to college to become a youth worker.

"In primary school I got bullied a lot," she said. "Being called names wasn't very nice, but they didn't understand. A lot would have come from their parents, who didn't know either.

"They would have thought we were just poor, just scum. But attitudes are changing, people are more aware of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Now it's easier to say, Yes, I'm proud to be what I am'."

Justine Wilson, 17, is also part of a community moving around the Highlands, but hopes to finish her English Standard Grade and eventually become a writer-journalist. She is excited that the campaign, organised by Save the Children, is beginning to help change perceptions.

"I really enjoyed going to Europe and telling our side of the story," she said. "They were eager to listen about how we've been campaigning in schools all over Scotland, giving them an insight into the traveller life.

"We explain to them the similarities and also the differences. They see we listen to the same music, like the same things. We just live a little bit differently, that's all. They realised there was nothing weird or strange about us."

The Brussels meeting was hosted by Fife-basedLabourMEPCatherine Stihler. The young travellers were also able to meet MEP Livia Jaroka, who talked about her own Roma family history and gypsy communities across Europe. The politicians promised to help identify further sources of funding for the continuation of the project.

One of the group, Mark McKenzie, is currently attending Oatridge College in West Lothian to undertake a landscape design and construction course.

The 16-year-old told the Sunday Herald of the abuse his own family have faced. "Occasionally, they would throw rocks," he said. "A group of young boys threw rocks through the window of my uncle's caravan while everyone was sleeping. It's terrible.

"That's the reason why we're doing all this, to help people understand what travellers are really like. Before our workshop, you actually get people writing things about us casting spells and wearing silly clothes. Afterwards they realise we're just the same as other people."

The government estimates there are 2000 gypsies in Scotland, most of whom speak a common language called Cant, in addition to English or Gaelic, and work in agriculture or forestry. Many groups face housing problems since current council site provision does not meet their needs.

Stihler said: "It is vital that we address the discrimination that many of these young people face on a daily basis. Save the Children should be commended for its campaign to make Scots aware that travellers are the same people but with different lives."

Karen Carrick, Save the Children's development officer, said she was proud of the way the young travellers were able to state their case so eloquently to European ministers.

She said: "They demonstrated the excellent work they are doing in schools and other youth settings to try to raise awareness of gypsy travellers among their peers who live in the settled community.

"The trip was a really empowering experience and gave them a real boost."

As a result of the extreme prejudice experienced in the past, many people are afraid to identify themselves as hailing from a travelling community.

FamousgypsiesincludeCharlie Chaplin,RitaHayworthandBob Hoskins.

It is even claimed former president Bill Clinton is descended from the Faa Blythe Scottish gypsy kings.