Roma children in Dendropotamos of Thessaloniki are part of an exceptional Robotics Club and are preparing a special trip to the US on April 21, where they will be honoured for an innovative robot which they built themselves.

Until a few years ago, these Roma children did not go to school; they lived a life of poverty and they often resorted to illegal acts. Today, however, these children are part of an exceptional Robotics Club. The man behind this dramatic shift is archimandrite Athinagoras at the Metropolis of Stavropoli and Neapoli. Eight years ago, he created an organisation called Faros tou Kosmou (Light of the World) which offers food, education, employment and hope to the children.

"The team took part in a nationwide contest where the kids won one of the three top prizes," said archimandrite Athinagoras and added that a great American company invited the team in order to honor them in St. Louis. The concept of the international competition was based on natural disasters. The team created a robot that bridges seismic faults, in order to safely transport the inhabitants of an affected area.