Homes, training and jobs: what’s the reality of Social Europe?

In Berceni, north of Bucharest, Valentin and Gabriela Alexe, and their two daughters have been living happily in their house for a year. Due to Valentin's low income, they previously lived with their parents, where cohabitation was very difficult. 

"When they kicked us out, until I found an apartment to rent, I slept in the car for three days, me, my wife and my daughter," Valentin says.

"Then, when I was renting, I didn’t have much money left because it was very expensive. I had enough, let's say, for food, but not for the rest, like clothes, no way." 

Grabiela says life was becoming increasingly hard: "The situation there was starting to get very bad, the mould had started to grow on the walls, and my child went to the hospital. I also stayed at the hospital because the house was too dirty." 

Thanks to the NGO Habitat for Humanity, which helps low-income families by building shared houses with the help of volunteers, Gabriela and Valentin will be able to become homeowners in exchange for volunteer time and an affordable rent for 20 years. A once unattainable dream.

"Even now we can't believe that it is ours, it has changed our lives for the better," Gabriela says.

Valentin says he feels deeply grateful: "I want to share and help the others who are moving here, and even when I am done with my volunteering hours with Habitat, I will say; 'I will help you, let's do it!" 

The project is supported by the city of Berceni, which provided the land and utility connections, thanks to private and European funds. Today, three buildings have been constructed, housing twelve families. Cosmina Pandele, the mayor of Bercini says the project aims to build a normal community life for people:  

"It is a chance that belongs not only to those