BUCHAREST – The Romanian capital is a metropolis that counts approximately three million souls. It may not be as beautiful as some of the other Eastern European capitals but it possesses its own distinct charm and a fascinating history.
Grey is the colour of the communist-era apartment blocks, which replaced entire historic quarters of the old city in Ceaușescu's crazy vision as he sought to boost population growth and national uniformity. Romanians had to become a single people, forgetting their historical differences while expanding in number. For that reason the communist regime banned contraceptives and abortion, and introduced policies which aimed to increase birth rates, including a tax on over-25s without children and benefits for large families. These policies, combined with a rise in poverty, led to a proliferation of homeless people in urban areas: the so-called street kids.
When the country slipped into economic and social crisis in the early 90s it was the children who paid the highest price. Thousands were abandoned by their families or fled from their homes and orphanages. They lived a hand-to-mouth existence with no roof over their heads, no schooling, and became invisible to the world. Many turned to drugs or substances like glue so that they no longer felt the hunger and cold, and could forget their suffering. The transition from communism to capitalism brought a new wave of drugs onto the market and the street kids' lives became even harder. Still today over 2,000 people live on the streets in Bucharest alone.
In winter the grey of the buildings is often replaced by the white of snow. Amid general indifference, children seek refuge in the dark underground passageways, where hot-water pipes are a godsend in the biting temperatures. That's how young children and teenagers become invisible.
It is in this context that the Parada Foundation has operated since 1996. The association attracts children through circus activities like juggling. The Foundation uses a red nose as its symbol – a powerful antidote to the greyness of life on the streets.
Aid is provided to around 400 people on the streets mainly through the 'Caravana', a mobile unit offering food, clothes, blankets and assistance at night. Another 40 people regularly attend the Day Centre, and these include children who have been reintegrated into society through the circus: many have started going to school again.
For a year and a half the red nose of Parada has joined forces with the black and blue of Inter and the relationship has been a huge success: over sixty children up to the age of fourteen, Parada beneficiaries and three other centres of the founding partners have had the opportunity to participate in the Inter Campus programme in Bucharest.
Some of the children sleep in the sewers and pop into the Day Centre for a shower before training to get rid of the nauseating underground smell. As some of the kids have stated, "I don’t want to ruin my Inter shirt."
Others live in occupied houses in the centre of Bucharest. In many cases these are not apartments but holes in crumbling buildings, shared by four or five families in difficult and crowded conditions. Parents are often abusive and make use of drugs and alcohol, partying until the early hours of the morning. Yet the children’s desire to take part in training sees them wake up at 7:00 to head to the pitch, their eyes still tired and puffy.
Still others come from community centres that are managed by the city government and work with Parada. They sleep wearing their Inter shirts out of fear that someone will steal them during the night. The Nerazzurri colours are prized and to be defended.
Bucharest continues to be the reflection of a wonderful country full of contradictions. A country with enormous potential riches but many obstacles to exploiting them successfully. It’s a country that is incredibly welcoming, and at the same time ruthlessly indifferent.
The red nose and the black-and-blue shirt are among the few things that bring colour to these children's days. An incentive to continue focusing on day-to-day life and a tool for true social reintegration.
For further information:
www.facebook.com/parada.romania
www.parada.it
Visita il sito intercampus.inter.it
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