Serbia's scrapheap scavengers

By Matt Prodger
BBC correspondent in Belgrade

The Saiti family, like many of the 10 million Roma (Gypsies) in central and eastern Europe, are struggling against poverty and discrimination.

International Roma Day, on 8 April, is aimed at raising awareness of the problems facing Roma.

In central Belgrade the Saitis live on the wrong side of the tracks.

Their home is a cardboard hut perched beside a railway.

Shaban Saiti, 32, has a wife, four children and little else apart from a cannibalised Citroen car, which he calls his "Beloved Dyana".

Together they make up a familiar sight in Belgrade. Shaban spends his days driving round the streets searching for rubbish - anything - to sell.

Struggle to survive... more...

For editorial by the ROMANISTAN NETWORK see my article
"Where does the money go?" on ROMANI FIRST - English Edition.