Since childhood, Esma Rejepova had to look for income. She walked other people’s dogs, cleaned the houses of the rich, transported merchants’ goods.
Having learned the price of hard work, Esma was able to escape poverty at the expense of her talent.
One day she went to a singing circle, where her vocal abilities were revealed. From the age of 9, Esma composed songs and participated in competitions.
By the time Esma Rejepova became famous outside her country, she was already more than an artist.
She has had more than 2000 charity concerts under her belt. The woman actively participated in public and political life.
She carried out small humanitarian missions and even held a position on the city council.
The singer paid a lot of attention to issues related to the improvement of the city. Esma tried to help the orphans.
Obviously, Esma Rejepova’s views were influenced by the discrimination against Gypsies she encountered in her childhood and adolescence.
Being married, the couple had no children of their own, but their own descendants were replaced by orphans whom they adopted.
Interestingly, 47 of the 48 adopted children turned out to be gypsy boys. There was also a daughter – Eleanor.
Esma and Stevo raised five children under their own roof and provided the rest with a home and a decent education.
There is an explanation for the love of gypsy boys.
The fact is that due to stereotypes in orphanages, little gypsies are almost deprived of chances to join the family.
They are believed to be spoiled, too noisy and poorly behaved. The good deeds for the youngest did not stop at the adoption of children.
The singer founded an orphanage in Macedonia. For this, she became known as the “mother of 100 children”.
