AUTHORITIES ORDERED TO PROVIDE WATER FOR ROMANI COMMUNITIES IN PRILEP, NORTH MACEDONIA Brussels, Skopje 25 August 2022: Authorities in the Municipality of Prilep have been ordered to provide access to clean water for the Romani neighbourhoods of "Debarca" and "Tri Bagremi" in Prilep, North Macedonia. On 23rd August 2022, the Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination communicated a decision which found that the Municipality of Prilep and PUC Water and Sewerage Prilep had directly discriminated against Roma in the city by not ensuring equal access to water. The finding came after a complaint by the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) on behalf of Romani people from these communities. The public institutions have six months to implement the decision. “It is not an accident that Roma remain unconnected to the public water supply, often for decades” said ERRC President Đorđe Jovanović. “Institutional racism means these communities get neglected and denied basic infrastructure by public authorities. Water is so essential, without it these Roma cannot fully enjoy equal access to education, to good health and hygiene, to employment as well as to all kinds of other areas of life which are affected by a lack of clean water in the home.” Despite living there for many years, the Romani communities in the “Debarca” and “Tri Bagremi” neighbourhoods have never been connected to mains-supplied running water. Part of the reason is that many of the homes in these neighbourhoods have never been legalised by the municipality. The Commission’s decision mentions this issue and states that if there are legal obstacles regarding the legalisation of the neighbourhood, then the authorities must provide temporary solutions that will provide access to clean water for all Romani families living in the area. The decision issued by the Commission found direct discrimination on the basis of race, skin colour, ethnicity, social origin and property status in the area of access to goods and services. The ERRC also have a case currently pending before the National Court in Prilep concerning this issue. This press release is also available in Macedonian. For more information, or to arrange an interview contact: Jonathan Lee (in English)  Advocacy & Communications Director European Roma Rights Centre jonathan.lee@errc.org  +32 492 88 7679 Senada Sali (in Macedonian) Legal Director  European Roma Rights Centre senada.sali@errc.org  +389 74 240 274 © ERRC 2022. All rights reserved.

Jesus Speaks My Language

The Jesus films Keith helped dub into Flemish are ready for their final review. Praise God! 

Flemish is the version of Dutch spoken in Belgium. They dubbed three films:  the Jesus video based on Luke's Gospel, a shorter children's version, and the Magdalena Project, a shorter version narrated by Mary Magdalene. 

The first Jesus film Keith worked on was in Sinti Romani. During the final review, Keith noticed that one of the Sinti voice actors had tears streaming down his face. Keith asked if the film was that bad. No, the man replied, I've been a Christian for years. I heard that God speaks all languages, but now, somehow, I know it. Jesus speaks my language. I will pray now in the language my mother used, and God will understand.

Why make the Jesus film in Flemish? Because Flemish mothers do not speak Standard Dutch, Flemish people do not think or dream in Standard Dutch. God speaks to each of us in the language of our hearts. 

What is your heart language?

This past weekend Erika and I visited friends of ours from Moldova. 

My friend Erika has gone to Moldova numerous times and offered to drive the 2 1/2 hours from Arnhem to our Moldovan friends' current home in North Holland. (Erika, far right)

They have come to North Holland to work in the greenhouses that grow tomatoes. 

In high season, they work 10 hours/day, but usually the work day starts at 7 AM and only includes 8 hours of work. 

They made time, on their day off, to prepare a festive meal for us.

Our friend Marlute graciously agreed to join us. She and her infant child are staying in the same area. Marlute translated from Romanian or Ursari Romani into English or Dutch.

Grateful for brothers and sisters in Christ . . . who are also friends!

Mary