A reportage on a Roma settlement in Poznan, Poland. The Roma community has been living in that area of at Lechicka Street for many years. In an area of several hectares, they try to cope as best they can. “It’s hard here. It’s hard to keep clean. We are poor, but we have small children, so it must be clean everywhere,” says Veta, one of the residents, pointing to the carpeted ground.

Despite the early hour, the sun made itself felt. The weather doesn’t bother Ecatarina, who drinks her pickle outside. She is wearing a patterned ankle-length dress and a thick sweater with a zipper. Her gray hair is covered with a colourful scarf. – Every day I get up at 7. I drink coffee and prepare food for my grandchildren – describes the woman. “Then I’m going to fetch water to wash up and do the laundry.” I take a cart that holds four canisters. I do everything by hand because we don’t have a washing machine. I go begging. I’m not lying. I know it’s forbidden, but I have no other choice. We need food and hygiene products.

• Romskie osiedle przy Lechickiej. „Nie jest nam tu łatwo”. In: W Poznaniu. 14.06.2023. https://wpoznaniu.pl/romskie-osiedle-przy-lechickiej-nie-jest-nam-tu-latwo/