City of Cardboard and Asbestos

From Jurnalul National 28 December 2005

"City of Cardboard and Asbestos"

by Ionut Dulamita

In the heart of the Jiu Valley are 59 families who live in pavilions made of asbestos. Of these 59 families, 15 receive social aid (welfare) from the Aninoasa city hall. Each person in these 15 families receives $27 per month in welfare assistance. In the other families, at least one person has a job. With regard to these 15 families, their electricity is provided free and they receive 750 gallons of water free per month. Over that amount, they must pay. Their children warm themselves with outside fires and every day these families live in the Gehenna (Hell) that brings garbage and sewage right by their doorways. Said one resident, "There's no way a child could be healthy here."