Over the years, I used to travel with my cameras always hanging around my neck. I never fully understood why, but they acted as a kind of magnet—something that attracted attention and curiosity. Every time I encountered a Romani child on the street, they would look at me with a mix of curiosity and caution. Saying a few words and taking some pictures was often quite easy, and it would quickly create a warm and engaging moment.
One day, on the outskirts of Porto, I came across a large Romani settlement. The camp was made up of shacks built from salvaged materials—sheets of metal, wood, and fabric, with some carpets laid directly on the ground. The scene immediately drew me in, and I stopped to observe and take a few shots.
Four beautiful children of different ages came up to me, almost striking poses, proudly showing me their homes from the outside.
This spontaneous interaction and their pride in sharing what they had really touched me.
Not far from that settlement, just a few hundred meters away, stood new and expensive neighborhoods. The contrast was striking.
The Romani people in Portugal have a history that dates back several centuries. The first Romani communities arrived on the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. Over time, many of these communities settled in various parts of the country, including urban areas.
Between 1996 and 1999—when I was in Portugal—the situation of the Romani population was part of a broader context of social and economic marginalization, similar to what many Romani communities faced across Europe.
These communities often lived in slums, without access to basic services like running water, electricity, or proper sanitation. Their settlements were usually on the outskirts of cities, far from well-served urban centers.
Romani people faced widespread discrimination in many areas of daily life, including access to education, employment, and healthcare. The public policies of the time were not sufficiently effective in promoting the integration of these communities into Portuguese society.
For many Romani children, access to education was limited, often due to language barriers, discrimination, and the need to contribute financially to their families. This led to high dropout rates and the perpetuation of poverty cycles.
