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Story Publication logo May 29, 2015

Hungary: Inside Two Roma Settlements

Country:

Hungary
Author:
Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
English

Project

Separate and Unequal: The Struggle to Desegregate Roma Students in Eastern Europe

A string of courtroom victories have promised to bring an end to school segregation for Roma...

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The Roma settlement of Bag is just 30 miles north of Budapest, but its residents live with what looks like deep rural poverty: no indoor plumbing, no reliable electricity, no reliable heat. Here, families have used cheap wires to “steal” electricity from the nearby village’s main supply, a gamble because to get caught is to face steep fines and potentially jail time. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
“I have ten children and I think 25 grandchildren. Five of them live with me. Taking care of them is an all-day job. I am extremely afraid of weekends because the kids are here all day.” Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
“It takes a very long time to wash and dry clothes for five children, in the winter, with no heat or electricity. But spring and fall are not as bad with sunlight.” Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
Romaversitas, a non-profit focused on helping settlement children make it to and through college, has taken on a side project in Bag: cheap, efficient solar panels that provide households with enough electricity to light up a room. One of many challenges Roma students face is not having enough light to read and study by in the evenings. Families are often forced to choose between candles and food. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
“Hello my name is Patrick!” When they told him I spoke only English, this delightful little boy grabbed his brother’s school book and promptly gave me a Hungarian lesson. Later he told me: “I dreamt I climbed that tree and I had a scarf, and someone tried pulling me down, but I flew away!” Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
Helping the folks from Romaversitas install their first solar panel. If all goes to plan, no more pirating electricity, and Patrick will have enough light to study by. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
Gusev, the larger of two Roma settlements in the city of Nyiregyhaza, was a 19th century military barracks. Today it is home to roughly 1500 Roma, many of whom live without indoor plumbing. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
In one Roma settlement, a playground with no equipment. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
A newly erected playground about 15 minutes outside of Gusev. Residents of the settlement suspect that E..U. funds meant to help with Roma integration are being diverted to non-Roma neighborhoods. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
A warning to residents: The settlement is overrun with rats. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
The elementary school in Gusev, run by the Greek Catholic Church, has been found guilty of racial segregation. Late last year, a judge ordered the school to stop accepting new students. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
The main street in Gusev is wide and paved, but most of the side streets are cracked and crumbling. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.
A row house in Gusev. Image by Jeneen Interlandi. Hungary, 2014.

These images depict life inside two Roma settlements—Bag, just 30 miles north of Budapest, and Gusev in the city of Nyiregyhaza. Residents live with what looks like deep rural poverty: no indoor plumbing, no reliable electricity, no reliable heat. Educational opportunities are limited, and children have no light to study by. However, efforts are underway to install solar panels in Bag—and help children succeed in school.

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