House of Hope Organization

Aiud Romania

Roma Communities



COMMUNITY STATISTICS:



Focus on Roma people located around the city of Aiud ( north of Alba Iulia, near Cluj--Romania )

Population of people group is 1,200. ( 400 children under 18 ). There are 7 communities near each other.

Community names: Budu, Bufa, Tiglarie, Plopilor, Pasunii, Vale, Castalai.

Because of their Communist history, most men over 30 have work experience. This area had agriculture, also metal and concrete item production. Aiud has no industry now and has very few employment opportunities for anyone.





Up to 30% of the people are considered desperate and need some help now.

Including this 30%, up to 50% need help from time to time.

If the remaining 50%, 45% are surviving and on their own, and 5% may improve their standard of living without help.

COMMUNITY DYNAMICS:



Family units are reported to be fairly strong.

Some men find seasonal work at other locations.

Some people make items to sell: hats, brooms, sheep skin vests, stoves.

Some work sweeping streets or find temporary labor jobs.

The mayor's office and the school director want to improve conditions in these communities and asked us to partner with them.

Gypsies have unofficial leaders who are energetic and creative people.

These later are a little better off financially than the others.