The Romanies

some general statements about them

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

- the only ethnic minority in Hungary- they are not homogeneous- they could be classified into smaller

groups according to their ethnic-70-75% Romungros-18% Olahs- 8-10% BeasWe have been co-habiting with them for

longer than a half a millennium

HOW MANY ARE THERE OF THEM?

The answer is difficult.Why? The Romanies are only the people who

DECLARE it about themselves

HOW TO ESTIMATE THEIR NUMBERS

According to the figures of CENSUSESAccording to the figures of

representative surveys (about whom the interviewer thinks it)

SO THEIR NUMBER IS…

At least (official data)5-600, 000According to some surveys:

900, 000-1, 000, 000

(approx. 1/10 of the total population of the country)

IN OUR AREA…

In 2001: 4039 Romaniesout of them (according to their

declaration)3037: cultural identity3131.: mother tongue3253: among friends

HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR SITUATION?

It’s difficult to help them. Their problem can not be treated

independently Only together with the other

disadvantaged

OFFICIAL ARRANGEMANTS

Analyses of actual state of the Disadvantaged

(the Romanies do not make a separated part of it)

Arrangements plans (according to the previous document)

made by the county self governments

PRACTICAL STEPS

The must urgent things to doto cure the causes of their difficulties- poor living conditions- educational difficulties- unemployment ( as the outcome of the lack of

qualification )However:!their traditional values have to be preserved!the arrangements have to be promoted by their self-

assistance supporting associations and self representative bodies

WHO ARE THEY REALLY?

SOME OPINION ABOUT THEM

The head teacher of a downtown school,‘we hardly have any of them’

The head teacher of the school which they mostly live around,

‘I won’t tell anything about them’

THE HEADTEACHER OF A SMALL RURAL SCHOOL

Mental indifferenceImportance of outer appearance (clothes, jewellery)Lack of the basic hygieneThey do not need any more just physiological

satisfaction and feeling of safetyThey do not want to belong to anybodyThey do not need any respectThey neglect self-actualizationThey do not want any responsibilityThey do not have any aims and they are reluctant to

do any efforts

ALL THEIR EDUCATIONAL DIFFICULTIES COME OUT OF IT:

LazinessComprehension problemsIndifferenceOf course there are some EXCEPTIONS among

them

One thing is sure:- they are threatened for their children (against

real and imaginary dangers)- they are very aggressive if they feel their

interests being insulted)

AS SHE SAID

They are very different- go shopping in a luxurious car in the

village centreHowever on the parents’ meeting they

fight for free transportation for their children by school bus

At least they come to parents’ meeting