Stories, Contemporary issues
Stop Wasting Another Generation

“They should send their kids to school”…When racists talk to you about their God sent inspiration on what Romani should do to please the majority of the population, you either get that or something even worse – “they shouldn’t have so many kids”.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, most of the Romanians where peasants, fighting and, a lot of times, dying for a piece of land. My grandfather had four children. Just like him, most of the Romanians had many kids.

If we consider the lack of medication and the effects of both World Wars, we have to admit that we are here today only because our grandparents didn’t stop having kids, and did not resume to just fulfilling their ploughing careers.

The Romanians where indeed peasants but not stupid, so they quickly realized, without the help of any NGO’s that it’s not a bad idea to send the kids to school. But sending kids to school is not an easy job and it doesn’t come cheap. Actually, if you think that many of them had to give up a cow or a piece of land, it was quite expensive. Because it was so expensive, most of them had to evaluate their offsprings and send to school only the smartest of them. The rest had to wait. For many, their turn never came.

Now, one hundred years later, all sorts of NGO’s and international organizations, on a patronizing tone, preach about the importance of schooling to Romanians living below poverty line. Many of these Romanians are of Romani origin. Like our grandparents, Romani today are the only citizens in this country with many kids, sometimes five, eight or even more.

Most of these NGO’s representatives, with their full bellies and their squeamish nature to the sight of the poor conditions these people live in, spend just a few minutes passing down their wisdom and then they move on.

According to them, if you tell someone unemployed, hungry, without running water or electricity to send their eight children to school, you’ve done God’s work on this Earth and you can go home and be proud till you burst.

It puzzles me how we can’t learn from our past. Millions of Romanians don’t have theproper conditions to send one kid to school, not to mention eight. Unlike one hundred years ago, these people have nothing to sell, but more importantly the discrimination makes it impossible for many of them to find a decent job. Therefore, marginalization took an extreme toll on them and miss-shaped their life expectations.

When I look at Canuta’s kids going to school regularly it fills my heart with joy. For I know that we only need twenty years to change the destiny of this country for the better. When I know they go to school in the same clothes they slept in, it blows me away.

Without running water they bath now and then. In the winter they can’t read after four in the afternoon. To them, breakfast holds almost no meaning. Unless they have some leftovers from the night before or if you count the milk and the bread they get at school.

That milk and bread is the only social program I truly respect, many Romanians send their kids to school just because there they get something to eat. But that is not enough. Our kids, this nation’s future, need electricity, running water, clothing and school supplies.

We’ve exploited Romani for centuries. Our racism or, in the best cases, indifference put a gap between Romani and non-Romani that will soon threaten our own existence.

We are losing precious time debating whether to call them Romani or gypsies. We believe that if we call them gypsies and blame them for all the wrongs in this country we will be beyond moral scrutiny.

I am amazed how in a country where we all pray for our neighbor’s goat to die as well, we all look for scapegoats. We are still victims of communist mentalities. We still want to believe that we live in a country free of homosexuals, sex workers and drug addicts. Now, by leading the Romani to declare themselves non-Romani during population census we prefer to lie to ourselves rather than face the truth. The truth is that in probably less than one hundred years from now, the Romani will represent the majority of the population in this country. So the question is not if education will benefit the Romani, but if we like to live in a country where the majority of the population is educated or, on the contrary, not educated.

I would love to see the day we realise that we have to start paying for our mistakes. The sooner we realize that, the better. For the price increases with time.

The Romani need no convincing that school is important for their future kids. They need support. For 62 years we only talked about integration and look where that got us. We, as a nation, have to admit failure and start paying for our mistakes. It’s time we learn discrimination and indifference doesn’t come cheap.

I am talking about this price we have to pay and I am afraid many of you might think I am just talking about ‘mea culpa’/my bad. I hate to break it to you, but I am talking about money.

Let me give you an example: in each house there is a kid we want in school very much, but there should be one light bulb we all pay for. And make the parents responsible for the help they get.

We failed many generations of Romani, or the mature ones is little we can still do.

Let’s not wait and waste another generation.

Let’s pick up the check and change our future for the better.

Stop Wasting Another Generation
✖
Teo holds by ropes an icon depicting Mother Mary and baby Jesus as seen in Fundeni, on April 18, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Andreea seen through the drapes in front of their house in Fundeni on June 16, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Canuta Andreea seen through the only window of their mud house in Fundeni, on April 1, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Cornelia taking the trash out as seen in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Canuta Florentina dressed in the same clothes she slept in the night before, as seen at school in Fundulea on April 3, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Cornelia drinks her coffee as seen in Fundeni early morning on April 20, 2012. During winter, while they have no central heating, mould appeared on the walls of all 3 bedrooms. The only unaffected room is the main room where all 10 family members had to sleep together. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Cornelia worried about loosing part of the backyard to the nearby warehouse as seen in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Eduard preparing a sandwich as seen in Fundeni on June 16, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Canuta Florentina and her mother Canuta Mariana as seen early morning in Fundulea on April 12, 2012. The ceiling and the 2 bed where 8 family members live are used to store all family belongings. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Andreea applies makeup on her little sister Ilona as seen in Fundeni on April 17, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of 8 their kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
A Mother Mary with Child icon hanging on the wall as seen inside Mierlesteanu's brothers one room social house, in Bucharest on March 29, 2012. Their unemployed parents struggle to keep them in school against all odds.
Andreea eats after preparing lunch for whole family as seen in Fundeni on April 17, 2012. As they only have one chair, the 10 family members have to take turns at the kitchen table or eat standing. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Adriana Mierlesteanu seen handing out sandwiches for dinner to her 3 children In Bucharest on March 29, 2012. She and her unemployed husband, Barleanu, struggle to keep their 3 children in school, against all odds.
Canuta Marian and his daughter Andreea inside the mud house where they live with 6 more family members, as seen in Fundulea on April 2, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Gheorghita firmly tying together the plastic bags containing the collected scrap metal the kids will take out to the collection centre, as seen in Fundeni on June 15, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Ionut, Andreea and their friend collecting fruits after returning from the scrap metal collecting centre, as seen in Fundeni, on June 15, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Ilona watches her brothers washing their feet before going to bed as seen in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Canuta Marian on his way to the village outskirts on one of the rare occasions when he could find a one day job as seen in Fundulea on June 21, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Teo and Eduard using the improvised summer shower behind the house as seen in Fundeni on June 15, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Canuta Marian seen looking over his personal papers inside his mud house in Fundulea, on April 1, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Andreea Dumitrascu and her brothers play football in between their house and an electric power plant as seen in Fundeni on April 16, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Romanian kids of Roma origins as seen in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
3 plates with fried potatoes meant to feed 6 children are laid on the floor by Canuta Mariana, for a table could not be fitted inside their small mud house, as seen in Fundulea on April 3, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Adriana, hangs laundry to dry as seen in Bucharest on March 29, 2012. She and her unemployed husband struggle to keep their 3 children in school, against all odds.
Cornelia disciplines Ionut as seen in Fundeni on April 18, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
A more than 25 years old fridge as seen inside Pitzemberger's house in Fundeni on April 20, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Main room of Pitzemberger family where 8 children live, as seen in Fundeni on April 13, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Romanian kid of Roma origins going into the attic as seen in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Ilona and her friend, carry their worn-out dolls, in a plastic foil, as seen in Fundeni near an electric power plant on April 22. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Cornelia walks by as seen early morning in Fundeni on April 20, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Romanian kid of Roma origins ready to go out and play footbol as seen in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
On old, broken computer as seen in Fundeni on June 16, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Canuta Andreea plays in front of her mud house in Fundulea on April 1, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Pitzemberger's kitchen as seen in Fundeni on April 17, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Ilona plays with the cat as seen inside their house in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Mihai, Barleanu and Adriana on the bed while little Alexandra, sitting on the floor, writes letters in her little notebook, as seen In Bucharest on March 29, 2012. Barleanu and Adriana struggle to keep all 3 siblings in school against all odds.
Canuta Marilena, a pupil in the first grade forced to do her homework on the bed because a table could not fit in their small mud house, as seen in Fundulea on April 2, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Romanian kid of Roma origins taking the trash out as seen in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Eduard, Andreea, Dorinel and Ionut (not present in the image) play wile their brother Teo sleeps next to them, as seen in Fundeni on June 15, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Few plastic toys found on the village dumpster as seen on the bed of Canuta, in Fundulea on April 2, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Marilena Canuta's first grade colleagues preparing for a school play as seen in Fundulea on May 15, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Ilona pays with an umbrella as seen in Fundeni on April 17, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Teo, Andreea and Ionut watch the TV set in their older brother room while he is out working at a car service, as seen in Fundeni on April 16, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Gheorghita, early morning after finishing his night shift, as seen in Fundeni on June 16, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Romanian kids of Roma origins playing as seen in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Canuta's laundry hanging to dry as seen in the backyard of their mud house in Fundulea, on April 3, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
One of the walls of Canuta's mud house, bearing traces of burned candles, as seen in Fundulea on April 3, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Mihai Mierlesteanu upset after a fight with his father as seen in Bucharest on March 29, 2012. Adriana Mierlesteanu and her unemployed husband, Barleanu, struggle to keep their 3 children in school, against all odds.
Canuta's cat licks clean the grease of a family kitchenware as seen in Fundulea on April 1, 2012. Few moments before the image was taken, the cat caught and lost a mouse inside the mud house where 6 children and 2 adults live. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Alexandru, the oldest brother seen smoking and having a coffee early morning before leaving for work, in Fundeni, on April 20, 2012. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
Canuta Maria, uses a deodorant he found thrown away as garbage as seen in Fundulea after he shaved, early morning on April 12, 2012. Canuta Marian and his unemployed wife, struggle to keep their kids in school, while lacking electricity, running water and central heating.
Romanian infant of Roma origins as seen in Fundeni on April 16. Cornelia and her second husband Gheorghita had to allow 2 of their 8 kids to abandon school and find a job in order to barely cope with family expenses. He works as a night guard at a car service while she cleans it.
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