Baia de Fier

Baia de Fier commune lies 49 km from the city of Targu -Jiu, in the north-west of Gorj County and is composed of two villages: Baia de Fier (residence village) and Cernădia. The total population of the village is 3984 inhabitants (according to the 2011 census). Based on the hetero-identification criteria (unofficial sources), the number of Roma is 480. The Rudari community from Baia de Fier commune is compact and is located about 4 km from the centre, at the foot of the mountains. This part of the village is called Valea Galbenului. Located on the outskirts of the village, this seems to be an annex. This separation takes place because during communism, the Rudari used to work in the graphite mines in the mountains, but after the closure of these mines, they settled in the homes that were built for the miners. The Roma from the community are musicians and brick makers. They speak Romanian (the musicians) and Romany (the brick makers) and in terms of religion they are Orthodox.

Education

The main problems in terms of education are school dropout, early marriages and the students’ lack of interest in education. Due to an error the school was built on the land of the Forest District which claims its ownership. The school has no toilets. The lack of an educational centre results in a waste of talent among young people,a lack of employment and of personal and professional development opportunities.

Health

In Baia de Fier there is only one medical practice with two family physicians, two nurses and a dentist. In the community, there is a high degree of infection with hepatitis among the Rudari caused by unsanitary conditions of living and by the consumption of non-potable water from the river; it is 4 km from the Rudari community to the health centre. Few households are connected to the drinkingwater network, the others are using either river water (which is not drinkable) or water from wells.

Housing and Infrastructure

Of the 129 Roma houses,there are no ownership documents for 121 of them. The community has access to the electricity and running water networks, but few households are connected. Access to public transport is only available inside the village, not in the Roma community.

On the other hand, in the community there are Romany courses at school and a school mediator, acting as a bridge between Rudari community and the Town Hall. Recently, investments in infrastructure have been made: roads inside the community were paved, and the public toilets (which are not used) and Galbenu school were renovated.

Also, several projects were implemented in the past in the community. “Together we will succeed!” (2007-2009) had as a field of reference, personal development education and stimulation of students’ interest in the educational process. “CEZAR”-Educational Day Centres for Remedial Activities (2010-2012), within which beneficiaries had the opportunity to learn in a different way, addressing active learning methods and strategies, inclusive and intercultural, in a formal and non-formal environment. The local strategy contains further initiatives aimed at improving the situation of Roma and refers to the organization of a second-hand market, of the city days and the support of trade activities.

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