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LIFE UNDERGROUND - a typical street scenario in Romania "Under the city, a series of tunnels hold sewage and water pipes. The water pipes are hot, making the tunnels a warm place to sleep in the winter. Climbing down into a tunnel one sees fleas, vomit and feces from the children. The kids say rats are common, too. But the main threat is disease. Inside, six kids and an older man with a mustache looked up through the manhole into the overcast midday sky to look for a familiar voice. A year ago, Marion, 17, ran away from a foundation: The responsibilities were too much, and he missed the glue. Since then, Marion had become sickly and thin, and Claudiu doubted he would live through the winter. Iorel, a 15-year-old boy with an infected sore on his upper lip, said Marion had not been seen in days. He told Claudiu that Marion probably jumped on the train. Many kids like the nomadic life of the streets. They can hop on the train and travel the country. Seven kids climbed up the inside rusted ladder to say hi to Claudiu. Cars zipped past. A strong alcohol and paint-like smell drifted from the opening of the tunnel. The older boys were still drunk or high from the night before. One kid demanded the help of four younger boys to push him out of the sewers. When he was out, he lunged into traffic, unable to stand. Viorel caught him and pulled him back. The drunk boy insisted on walking into traffic, yelling at people. Viorel, half his height, gained control and made the kid lie down under a tree. Men in business suits passed these kids as if they were invisible. A few nights later, Paul visited the train station with three other team members. We ran into Marion, who instantly recognized Paul with a smile. His front teeth were missing. Marion was with three friends, all high on glue. The team members gave them hamburgers from the nearest McDonald's. Paul pulled Marion away from the group to talk. After a few minutes, Marion fell into Paul's husky arms. Silent tears rolled down his face. He didn't hold on to Paul, just collapsed, as if exhausted, resting his head on Paul's chest. "I told him he was killing himself with glue and the streets," said Paul. When asked why Marion left the foundation as people there love him? Paul said "He's addicted to the glue. He can't get away". Paul was silent for the rest of the night."
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Page last updated on 01/10/2003. View Site Map. |
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