What is life really like in Luník IX? What opportunities do its residents have? And is everything said about this community actually true? These were some of the questions posed by students from St. Basil the Great Secondary Medical School in Prešov, who visited Luník IX as part of the Tune Out Your STEREOtypes program.
Accompanied by experts and community workers, the students were introduced to the realities of life in this Košice borough.
Living Books and the First Step in Breaking Stereotypes
Before their visit to Luník IX, the students met with “Living Books” at their school — inspirational Roma individuals who have succeeded despite challenging circumstances. They shared their experiences, the obstacles they overcame, and the power of perseverance and support.
The discussion was open and sincere. Students asked questions that are often left unspoken: How do social benefits work? Why don’t Roma people leave the settlements and live elsewhere? Is it true they don’t want to work? Direct engagement with personal stories helped them realize that media portrayals often highlight failures while overlooking successes.
Luník IX Up Close: History, Art, and Daily Challenges
The second phase of the “Tune Out Your STEREOtypes” program was the actual visit to Luník IX. The program was organized by an organization ETP Slovakia, an organization that has been involved in community work in the borough for a long time.
Guided by community worker Petra Kuruczová, the students toured various parts of the borough, learning about its history and ongoing changes. During the walk, local residents joined the group, sharing their own experiences.
Luník IX is evolving not only socially but also visually. The borough is adorned with artworks created by locals in collaboration with professional artists. Students admired colorful murals and a remarkable sculpture by artist Oto Hudec, depicting children as superheroes and miniature versions of the borough’s buildings—a project that involved local children.
A Conversation with the Mayor About Life in Luník IX
The students were also welcomed by Marcel Šaňa, the mayor of Luník IX, who has been in office for ten years. He discussed the changes in the borough, improvements made, and the challenges that remain.
One key topic was housing.. The mayor explained the steps the local government has taken to improve living conditions and the investments made. Despite progress, there is still a shortage of suitable housing, a challenge that needs to be addressed in the future. Interestingly, the mayor offered the students the opportunity to work directly in the community after graduation, an idea some seriously considered.
For the students, as future healthcare professionals, the issue of healthcare accessibility was crucial. Currently, Luník IX lacks a health center, requiring residents to travel to other parts of the city for medical care. Health assistants from the organization Healthy Regions help bridge this gap by facilitating communication with doctors, providing education, and even assisting with childbirths—this year, they have already delivered three babies in the borough due to ambulance delays. “People sometimes complain that ambulances refuse to come to Luník IX… that’s when they call the assistants, who are well-known even among doctors. When the assistants confirm the urgency, the ambulance comes,” emphasizes Petra Kuruczová. The Healthy Regions project is currently on hold, and locals hope it will resume soon.
When the Bus Doesn't Come... and No One Is Surprised
As the students were leaving Luník IX, they encountered a situation that surprised them but is a common reality for locals—the city bus they were supposed to take simply didn’t arrive.
Waiting at the stop with them were local teachers and other residents, none of whom were surprised. Buses sometimes just don’t come to Luník IX, making it difficult for people to get to work or school. The students rightly questioned: How can we expect people to find employment if we can’t even provide basic transportation?
Did They Tune Out Their STEREOtypes?
The students left with not only new information but also a changed perspective. They saw that the residents of Luník IX are striving to improve their housing, find employment, and be active members of the community.
As part of the “Tune Out Your STEREOtypes” program, they are now preparing presentations about how their views on marginalized communities have changed and whether they succeeded in tuning out their stereotypes. Through these presentations, they will share their new experiences and the stories of people from Luník IX with other students at their school.
Perhaps they will return to Luník IX someday—with a different outlook.
The “Tune Out Your STEREOtypes” program is implemented through our Roma Communities Development Program, which since 2023 has focused on sensitizing young people to the issues faced by marginalized Roma communities. The goal of these activities is to work with high school students in eastern Slovakia, particularly in areas with a high proportion of marginalized Roma residents.
