 August 17, 2006 - Gyula Vámosi has never been one to give up easily. Not even 28 years old, he has accomplished more than many people have in a lifetime. Growing up in a traditional Roma family in the southern city of Pécs in Hungary, opportunities did not present themselves to Gyula; he had to seize them himself.
Gyula’s easygoing manner and charming smile make it immediately apparent why he has influenced so many people. He has been an integral part of bringing the Decade of Roma Inclusion from the elite, international level to that of the average Roma in Hungary.
With funds from the European Union, Gyula made use of his own organizational and motivational skills as he trained Roma activists to implement local programs in the fields of health, education, employment, and housing. Within the same program, young Roma were also trained to be more "employable," learning computer, communications, grant-writing skills, and English-language skills.
Gyula began building his own skills at a young age, and a major stepping stone was his acceptance into a bilingual high school, where he developed fluent English skills by age 16. Gyula has not neglected his Roma language skills, however. He recognizes the importance of the Roma language in uniting his culture, and he is one of few recognized translators, often interpreting at international conferences.
For now, Gyula has left Hungary and is pursuing his interests in the United Kingdom, but he has not forgotten about his roots. Whatever his next career move, he will continue to be involved in Roma issues, and he knows there is much work to be done.
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