WECF realized electricity project in Prislop

More households are connected to the electricity network

16.07.2007 |Margriet Samwel

In cooperation with a local partner and with financial support of Hewlett Packart (HP), WECF carries out small projects with the aim to improve the living conditions of the people in Prislop. One of the goals for 2007, the connection of 5 households to the electricity network is realized now.

Prislop is one of the poorest communities at the border of Sibiu´s urban region in Romania. Prislop has 80 houses (or huts to be more realistic), 13 of them are not connected to the electricity network. The light of an oil lamp or candle is not sufficient to do homework with the children, or even to make brooms, which is a source of income for Prislopeans.

Many barriers
Without financial and administrative support from outside, it is for the inhabitants Prislop impossible to get connected to the electric network.

The total costs of one connection is about 500 Euro, equal to more than 2 years social support which the families receive if they fulfil the requirements. The monthly social support is 20 Euro. In addition the families earn some money by collecting and selling fruits from the forests and by making brooms.

Not only the financial means, but also the bureaucracy and the unclear situation about the approvals of the households domiciles are huge barriers for the families to obtain the authorisation needed for a legal connection. The local partner had to spent many months and many visits to the authorities for collecting the needed forms and information.

The most surprising barrier was finding an authorised Romanian firm, who was willing to install the electricity in the Roma settlement. None of the Romanians felt the need to go to Prislop. Finally a Roma firm was found.
The five households received the connection for one bulb and one power outlet, and an electricity meter.

Thanks to the great work done by our local partner, the support of the Romanian authorities, and the financial support of HP, the connection of 5 households to the electricity network was realised. The other not connected household have to wait until a new electric branch in Prislop is installed and more financial means are available.

More information about Prislop:
Poverty, Pollution and Bad Health “in Prislop” a Romanian settlement, DVD 2007
Support programme for the Roma village of Prislop

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