Project Plan

The project consists of a building and nearly 10,000 square feet of land, within walking distance of the city center.  The plan is to build a Rroma Life Center that will meet the immediate needs of the Rroma communities of Uzhhorod which include food, temporary housing, education, job skill development, improvement of personal hygiene, clean drinking water, exercise, and socialization.

The Transform Uzhhorod Alliance, comprised of 26 organizations in Uzhhorod that have come together to bring transformation to our city, are planning on opening the Rroma Social Center to be run by Alliance member Church of Jesus Christ, a Rroma church near three Rroma Camps.  Uzhansky Rroma Camp is the largest camp in Uzhhorod with a population of 3500.  Bordering this camp is the Yama Rroma Camp of another 500.  This Rroma Social Center is within a short walking distance of both camps.  Another 500 Rroma live in the Telman Camp about a 15-minute walk from our planned Rroma Social Center.

The people within these Rroma camps are some of the most impoverished citizens of our city.  Some do not even have a proper roof over their home and live without running water.  Due to ingrained racist attitudes of the local Slavic and Hungarian people, the Rroma find it hard to find jobs within the city and many of the adults seek jobs outside of Ukraine to send back support to meet the basic needs of their families.  Due to a lack of clean drinking water and poor hygienic conditions, disease is rampant within these camps with the majority suffering from tuberculosis and other such ailments.  Many mothers are forced to scrounge trash bins near city restaurants just to feed their children.   And to compound this problem, there are a growing number of internally displaced Rroma (IDPs) from eastern Ukraine due to the conflict with Russia.

This Social Center is being launched to bring transformation to these three Rroma camps and to the larger Rroma community that lives outside of the camps in the Radvanka region of Uzhhorod.  This Social Center will provide the following services:

• Food.  We will distribute food packets for the most impoverished of families, families with many children, and the IDPs, through the center.
• Laundry.  Without running water in the camps, cleaning clothes is an arduous task within the camps.  Rroma will be able to come to the laundry to wash and dry their clothes while socializing with each other and members of our team.
• Showers.  Nearly no Rroma can wash within their homes and must wash in the nearby river which is freezing in the winter.  Here they will be able to come for a hot shower greatly improving the hygiene and health within the camp.
• Bakery.  A bakery will be started to provide some employment and high-quality bread at an affordable price for the Rroma community.
• Mini-Café.  Also providing some employment, the café will be a community center where anyone can come to chat and listen to each other.  Team members will also be present to listen and counsel over a cup of fragrant tea or coffee.
• Gym.  We care about the physical health of the young Rroma as well and will provide a place for them to build a healthy body and spirit rather than sitting aimlessly on the street being tempted to do the wrong things.
• Playground.  Our Sister City of Corvallis (Oregon) has provided a large school playground for our Rroma Social Life Center.  There are no playgrounds within five kilometers (3 miles) of the Rroma camps, and Rroma are not wanted at the city playgrounds anyway.  This playground will allow parents and children a place to play together in security.
• Legal Aid.  One of the major problems in the Rroma community is the lack of legal help in obtaining birth certificates and other essential documents.  We will have certified Rroma lawyers available to assist them.
• IDP Assistance.  The Church of Jesus Christ has assisted 124 IDP families since the war has started.  Many of these IDP families live in the homes of Rroma church members, and the church has even been equipped with beds if the number of IDPs surge again.
• Job Skill Training.  The Social Center will have experienced mentors who will train Rroma young people in setting goals and realizing their dreams of a life career.
• Pre-School/Primary School.  Church of Jesus Christ already has a pre-school and primary school in a neighboring home with 40 children.  This Social Center will provide a playground and tutoring center, and in the summer, we would have room for camps.
• Hair and Manicure Salon.  Rroma families with many children cannot afford a visit to the barbershop.  The Social Center will provide haircuts and manicure services at affordable prices by licensed Rroma hairdressers and manicurists.

Projected Outcomes

The Rroma Social Life Center will impact the 8500 Rroma that live withing the five camps inside the city of Uzhhorod.

 Total Funds Needed

The budget for this Rroma Social Life Center is $111,285 of which we have already raised $49,235 to purchase the building and property and ship the playground donated by the city of Corvallis, Oregon – the Sister City of Uzhhorod.  We need to raise another $62,050 to complete this project.  But the project can be broken down into stages, with the stages listed in the budget in priority.

$  5,150 – This is the balance we need to assemble the playground.

$  5,900 – To build a café in the center.  This will purchase tables, counters, stools, and coffee machine.

$  8,235 – To purchase equipment for the kitchen.  This will include stove, refrigerator, bowls, plates,  dishwasher, and prep-table.

$  9,410 – To equip the bakery.  This will include the ovens, mixers, etc.

$  2,350 – Provide tables, chairs, and whiteboard for primary school.

$  8,235 – Refurbishing playground and preparing land for playground.

$  6,090 – Outside rubber tiles for under playground.

$  3,500 – Benches and tables for playground.

$  4,705 – To equip the laundry and shower room.  This includes necessary renovations, washing machines, and showers.

$  2,350 – To equip the gym with basic items such as mirrors, barbells, and treadmill.

$62,050 – Total needed for completion