More information
Description
„Be part of the community-Integrated Services towards Roma Local Communities in Curcani and Romanesti” aims to contribute to social inclusion and empowerment of Roma citizens from two rural communities: Curcani (Calarasi county) and Romanesti (Dambovita county). The target groups consist of 200 disadvantaged children, 200 legal representatives of these children (parents, grandparents etc.), 500 people with limited access to health services and 100 families/ households (with at least 5 members per) who need better housing conditions.
The project will carry out the following activities and services: non-formal education activities (storytelling, play clubs, trips etc.) and proactive social assistance (providing clothes, hygiene materials, food packages etc.) for 200 children; educational activities for 200 legal representatives of the children involved in the project (parental education, literacy etc.); health services for 550 people (health education campaigns, medical check-ups etc.); housing services for 100 families/ households in Curcani, by ensuring access to basic utilities (water-sewage); training 45 Roma experts and leaders to defend the human rights.
150 Roma youth and women will be involved in empowerment activities, aimed to increase their self-esteem, and to make them self-conscious of their own value (e.g. by involving them in social projects, by participating in the organization of cultural and social events, together with formal and informal Roma leaders etc.). All these activities will ultimately create a more cohesive community, which will foster the value of each and every member.
Summary of project results
The project was implemented in the communities of Curcani (Călărași County) and Românești (Dâmbovița County), two communities facing a moderate degree of marginalization. In the Curcani locality, the official percentage of Roma is 32%; however, according to unofficial estimates, this percentage exceeds 50%. In the Românești commune, data from the latest census shows a 20% Roma population, while unofficial estimates report over 95%.
Both communities face common issues related to access to resources and services in education, health, housing, social assistance, and employment, leading to significant consequences: low participation of children in education; an alarming level of health issues (oral health, chronic diseases, women''s health); lack of jobs and economic development opportunities; lack of access to running water sources.
The project provided a comprehensive package of educational and health services, as well as infrastructure works to ensure access to a source of running water. Educational services involved promoting school participation among Roma children through the provision of packages containing basic products (clothing, food, and hygiene products) and engaging their parents/ guardians in literacy activities, self-esteem building, empowerment, etc.
Health services included screening campaigns and medical check-ups. Children benefited from dental caravans. A significant part of the project''s activities involved connecting households to the water supply network, benefiting 100 families from the Curcani locality.
The project targeted 400 children from Roma communities or poor families, 200 parents/grandparents as legal guardians, and 500 individuals.
The project also included a Housing Plus component, through which 100 families benefited from activities aimed at improving living conditions by providing household appliances (washing machines).
In the long term, the two Roma communities will continue to benefit from the educational and medical services, which will lead to an improvement in the quality of life for both Roma individuals and the general population.