Roma

Romania has one of the largest Roma (gypsy) populations in the world. Recently you've likely heard of the mass emigration of Roma into nearby European countries like Italy, Spain and France. Apparently things didn't work out so well for the Roma there and many have been forced to return to Romania. In some countries where they remain, their mere presence has become a political issue. While the Roma as a people have somewhat of a negative reputation in Romania as beggars, liars and thieves, they also have a political role in Romania as one of the many different ethnic groups who live in the country. They are the second largest ethnic minority group in Romania after the Hungarians.  Because of their large numbers in Romania, Romanians are known to be more tolerant of the Roma than citizens of other European countries who clearly view them as unwanted guests. All over Romania the wealthier Roma are represented by large, usually unfinished homes. Most of the money they get to build the homes is made by Roma children turned beggars. RCE comes alongside a few of the poorer Roma families who are dedicated to honest living, hard work and a providing a good education for their children.

Unfinished home of a wealthy Roma

While it is difficult to know the exact number of Roma in Romania there are thought to be about 500,000 in the country. They are known to be the most illiterate and socially disadvantaged minority group. Folks at RCE know this well as they work to place many Roma children that have been abandoned and are now cared for in state institutions, into families.  Several Roma children currently live in RCE's Darius Houses and also in Amy's House.

Victor and Ovi

Room RCE helped family add to their home

Today I went out into the field with Ovi and Doina and we visited a couple Roma families that RCE and Project Caring support.  We first stopped at a home in a Roma community where RCE has helped add a room onto a small home that is shared by a family of eight. One of the boys in the family, 15 year old Victor, was first given help by RCE when he was 4 years old. It was then that he was out playing in a field, when some of the flames from a nearby farmer's controlled burn blew toward Victor when the wind picked up. The flames caught his clothing and the fire burned him. Ovi heard about his story and RCE provided the special creams/ointments as well as other medical care Victor needed to take care of his charred skin.
During our visit, we met a few of Victor's Roma neighbors to whom we were able to give some fruit and fleece dolls.

If you are interested in learning more about the Roma people, I recommend a very good book by Isabel Fonseca called "Bury Me Standing". It's an account of the history of the modern European Gypsy people.


Romanian Words of the Day:

Good morning= buna dimineata (boo-na dee-me-neot-sa)

Good day= buna ziua  (boo-na zee-wa)
Goodbye= la revedere (la riva-dare-ay)