EDUCATION:



Lack of education to meet challenges of completing paper work.

Parents did not go to school, so they do not send their children to school.

Many of them are illiterate.

Although there is little family encouragement for the children to attend school, 59% do attend, but many do not have the funds to purchase basic school supplies.



HEALTH:



Since many do not have any kind of health insurance, we see a lot of health problems in the communities.

Tuberculosis, lack of medicine, viruses, refusal of treatment by hospitals.

Lack of knowledge of treatment and medical care.



UNEMPLOYMENT:



Men need to work far away from home if they are to find employment. If they wish to work in a different country, they need proof of a permanent address; however, they have no permanent address since they don't own the piece of land where they live. They are just "squatters ". Working illegally lessens their prospects and income.

The young may have basic schooling but lack skills to offer an employer. Most lack the experience, ideas, and opportunities to be successfully self employed.

Some do not have elementary school, so they cannot be hired.



HOUSING:



Most of the houses are shanties. One small room may be the living quarters for 5-7 people.

Most houses need repair.

No one has a garden plot.

Some need and do expect immediate results for their efforts.

Approximately 10 families have one member in jail.

Orthodox controlled cemeteries do not permit non-Orthodox persons to buy a gravesite.

Some family members are not being cared for. ( the old and some children ).



INFRASTRUCTURE:



The Gypsy communities do not have roads, only dirt paths.

No water.

Just a few people have gas.

Most of them have electricity now. But there are about 20 families without electricity. They use candles. some use electricity being hooked up illegally.

All the public institutions are located downtown Aiud. ( about 3 miles from the Gypsy communities ).

No other churches, foundations, or organizations are involved in the work with these Gypsy communities.