The total program is aimed at a few thousand Roma. Major components are rebuilding a youth center in Cluj, educating youth in conventional Romanian schools, and educating adults in basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills.

The HFH component is to provide housing for 35 Roma families. These will be distributed to various locations in order to avoid creating a ghetto. The project we worked on was in Apahida where 6 families will live in a 6 unit condominium. Because of the huge difference in traditional Roma living styles and typical Romanian society, 3.5 years of preparation are used by HFH. Elements of this are learning Romanian societal conventions, maintaining property, understanding mortgages, etc. Non-Roma families are given 4 months of preparation.

The goal is to have these units available for occupancy on August1. Because the project was slightly behind schedule we were reassigned here to prepare for installing concrete floors.

We had the opportunity to work alongside a Roma man who is scheduled to become one of the homeowners. For me this was the first social interaction with a Roma other than be approached by beggars. This was very meaningful for me.

We built in Jucu for all but 2 of our workdays. Habitat is constructing 70 homes adjacent to a beautiful pastoral setting of rolling hills and farmland. Twelve of these duplex units are occupied. Two are near completion. We worked on units 15 and 16. Our tasks have been varied and included: 

The KC team worked alongside volunteers from France, a youth from First Unitarian, prospective homeowners, and Habitat employees.

The people who will occupy units 15 and 16 are working with us daily. Erika and Istvan Bertalon, ethnic Hungarians, will occupy unit 15 with their 11 year old daughter. Mr. Bertalon is a skilled construction worker with more than 20 years' experience. He has lost one leg as a result of 2 subsequent work accidents. In the second he fell 40 feet when the ropes on scaffolding failed. Neither his employer nor the government gave any compensation. He will receive a prosthetic leg in September at his own expense.

The homeowner of unit 16 will be Adrian Buza, an ethnic Romanian. He is a graduate of Cluj Technical University in computer technology. Salaries are so depressed in Cluj that his family qualifies for a Habitat home. The Buzas will occupy their home with their 2 children.
 

Collaboration HFH Cluj and First Unitarian

First Unitarian operates the first Hungarian language daycare in Cluj. It is in a church owned building that is beyond repair. First Unitarian has received a grant of approximately USD 600,000 to construct a child care center. They intend to remove the existing structure and build a 3 storey custom designed building in its place. Since this is in the historical center of Kolozsvár, special regulations must be followed to assure the new structure is visually compatible with existing structures. The new building will be two thirds child care center and the remainder a day center for senior citizens. Care will be provided to all members of the community, irrespective of religion or ethnicity.

An architectural competition was held and First Unitarian has chosen a design. Total project cost is estimated at USD 1 million. Design contracts will be signed this week. First Unitarian and Habitat Cluj are in discussion to determine if there is merit in collaboration between the two. Habitat has strengths in:

• Permitting process.
• Project management.
• Materials procurement.
• Fundraising.
• Use of apprentices and volunteers.
• Access to discounted professional services.
   

Joseph Kubiak, our member who is completing his residency in New York in dental pathology, sent us an update this week. We have prayed for Joseph weekly at Sunday worship, after he shared with us his debilitating hereditary diagnosis received while he was a student at Tufts Dental School. We rejoice that Joseph continues to find new avenues through which to manage his constant pain.  We're excited that he is now looking for jobs, and rooting that he receives the best offer back in Boston!  It'd be wonderful to welcome him back into our weekly worshipping congregation again.

 

This week, we mourn with our members who have both recently lost their fathers, remarkable men of both professional accomplishment and service to their communities.  May we join together to offer support to one another in the face of our losses, and give thanks for lives well lived.

 

Finally, we added prayers last week to our weekly Sunday bede list for Charles, our member who is facing a difficult diagnosis, progressing too swiftly.  We pray for guidance for him, his family and the caregivers attending to him.