Târgu Cărbunești

Târgu-Cărbuneşti is located in the south-eastern part of Gorj County, 25 km away from the city of Targu -Jiu. The population is composed of 8034 people including 558 self-identified Roma according to 2011Census and 824 hetero-identified Roma.

The Roma community of the city is spread in three neighbourhoods. One is inhabited by musicians – approximately 10 families that do not emigrate, and live in precarious conditions and small houses. In their case, the level of studies is high. The other neighbourhoods are made up of traditional coppersmiths Roma (căldărari) who emigrate in large numbers, sometimes with their children. The level of education among them is reduced, as many do not attend secondary school. Their houses are newly built with quality materials, in a western style. The brick makers speak Romany and musicians speak Romanian.

Education

The Roma community is served by “George Uscătescu” School (70 % Roma students) and the National College “Tudor Arghezi” (1 Roma child). Preschool children have access to the Kindergarten with normal schedule from Târgu-Cărbuneşti, the Kindergarten with normal schedule Târgu-Cărbuneşti, Kindergarten no.2 with extended schedule (IAS) Târgu-Cărbuneşti.

The main problems in terms of education are school dropout caused by early marriages and by the lack of students’ interest in school. No school mediator or courses of Romany language exist. In the community there is no educational centre. The percentage of unschooled people is 53 % and of those enrolled in primary school, very few attend secondary school. The level of education of the adult members of the community is low (80 % have under 8 years of schooling), and cases of illiteracy have also been found.

Health

The community is served by a hospital, three dental medical practices, three clinics, and a permanent centre 3 km away. Three family physicians work in the community. Of the total Roma population, 39 people have severe health problems, 20 people have physical disabilities and 17 are mentally disabled people. The main problems of the community are the lack of health insurance, and the large number of patients assigned to each physician.

Housing and Infrastructure

In the village there are 175 houses, of which 73 are overcrowded and 98 % of the families have no ownership documents. The access roads to the Roma community are paved, and the interior ones are cobbled. They have access to electricity and gas networks, drinking water, running water, sewerage and sanitation, except for a few streets. The local public / private transport serves the community. The main problems are poor housing conditions and the overcrowding present in some homes; some families live in remote areas without drinking water networks, gas and electricity networks.

As important points for the implementation of zefiR project, we have an expert on Roma issues, a community leader and a health mediator who support and defend the interests and rights of the Roma community. The program “School after school” is conducted in the village. The local strategy also includes further initiatives aimed at improving the situation of Roma such as the organization of a second-hand market, of the city days and the support of trade activities. The community has an expert on Roma issues and a Roma councillor who was elected. There haven’t been and there are no inter-ethnic tensions or conflicts, but the collaborations between Roma and non-Roma are less numerous.

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