EPALE - Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe

The AMAL program, implemented by the organization Cesta von, represents an innovative model of linguistic and personal development. It connects women from marginalized Roma communities (known as omamas), volunteers from the majority population (amalkas), and field workers (Zebra leaders). The program focuses on strengthening Slovak language skills as a means to improve employability, enhance job performance, and foster intercultural understanding.

Qualitative feedback from participants shows that one of the most significant outcomes of the program is the increased self-confidence and communication skills of the omamas. Through AMAL, they are better equipped to engage with institutions, understand official documents, and advocate for themselves and others. Language development also leads to greater professional confidence, particularly in conducting educational activities with children, working with client families, and navigating everyday life.

The program also provides substantial enrichment for the amalkas themselves. Many describe their relationship with the omamas as their first meaningful encounter with the realities of generational poverty or life in segregated communities. This contact, grounded in mutual respect and long-term trust-building, proves transformative for both sides. The amalkas describe the experience as both professionally and personally formative, with many of these relationships continuing even after the formal program ends.

A distinct group within the program is made up of the so-called Zebra leaders—young Roma adults working as field staff who also participate in Slovak language classes. Although their initial motivation was often low, due to the belief that their language skills were already sufficient, their engagement in the program led to significant progress. Zebra leaders report improvements in grammar, vocabulary expansion, better comprehension of professional texts, and increased confidence in writing and public speaking. These linguistic advances support their growing professionalism, increased interest in further education, and enhanced effectiveness in their community work.

Across all participant groups, relational dynamics emerge as a key pillar of the AMAL program—trust, safety, and a partnership-based approach between amalkas and omamas, as well as between instructors and Zebra leaders. AMAL is therefore much more than a language course: it is a comprehensive empowerment tool that amplifies the voices and capabilities of people on the margins of society, while simultaneously building bridges between communities that otherwise seldom meet.