Breaking Stereotypes: Working with the Roma

The Romani people, often called gypsies, have long been scorned and marginalized throughout Europe. Historians suggest that they migrated from northern India around A.D. 300-700, finding little acceptance during their centuries of wandering. Still viewed as outsiders, Roma continue to face racial violence, government-forced evictions, school segregation, and employment discrimination in many European countries. For example, 61 percent of the Romani population in Moldova lives on less than $2 per day, compared with 24 percent of the non-Romani population. In this interview, Senior Loan Officer Dan Popa talks about how Invest-Credit, HOPE’s partner in Moldova, is breaking stereotypes and providing the Roma with new economic opportunities.