Roma London

Self portrait of Gabriela. In her right hand is the shutter release she uses to take a picture
Photograph: Manuela Zanotti/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society

Self portrait of Roxana. She says: "I like being behind the camera because I know that I am taking the picture and I am taking it the way I want to. I'm interested in art, media and graphics."
Photograph: Manuela Zanotti/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society

Photographer Manuela with Roxana and her mum. Home visits were part of the professional training the girls received.
Photograph: Manuela Zanotti/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society

Angela, 19, says: "Being on the project helped me learn about photography. It helped improve my English I'm happy I'm on the project. Showing my pictures is good because I'm showing Roma life."
Photograph: Angela Makulova/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society

The Roma have travelled for many centuries. It is a common misconception that Roma are travellers today. Actually, very few Roma now pursue this lifestyle, preferring to live in houses.
Photograph: Angela Makulova/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society

Sindy, 15: "The future for Roma in London is that they will be as equal as everyone else. At the moment they're not. There are some parts of the UK where they're racist to Roma people. In the future that will be all gone."
Photograph: Manuela Zanotti/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society

One of Sindy's photographs. "For me the best things about Roma culture are the dance, the music and the singing, everything," she says.
Photograph: Sindy/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society

Another of Sindy's photographs. "A virtuouso violinist. My dad can even play the violin backwards."
Photograph: Sindy/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society

Family is a central concept in Roma culture. Roma children often grow up at an early age through caring for their younger brothers and sisters.
Photograph: Amanda Huczkova/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society

Amanda, 14, says: "Being Roma means everything. I'm Roma, I don't care what anybody thinks about Roma 'cos I like to be Roma. We always have fun. We dance, we sing, it's fun being Roma."

The exhibition is on 11 to 19 February, 12pm – 6pm, at the Art Pavilion, Mile End Park, London
Photograph: Amanda Huczkova/Different Culture Photos/The Children's Society