Dead-End Street
In the vicinity of one of the main bridges in the city of Belgrade, which connects the Serbian capital with the northern province of Voivodina, a peculiar Roma settlement is located. The settlement is named after the Vuk Vrcevic street that runs through it, but it is better known as the Dump. What distinguishes this Roma settlement from others is that the street is practically empty, used only by its residents, since, on the top of an extreme poverty and unsanitary conditions, heroin and crime reign there. Namely, in this settlement almost every family has at least one member who is a heroin addict - the situation that causes suffering not only to individuals who consumes drugs, but also to all people in their vicinity, including the most vulnerable - children who are at high risk of becoming addicts, or developing other problems. Since nobody from the outside seriously addresses their numerous problems, the inhabitants feel forgotten, abandoned, having no future. However, despite such dire circumstances, the residents of this settlement retained something of the Roma spirit, which persistently resists the misfortune which they find themselves in.
Children playing at the end of a hot summer day in the most unsafe Roma settlement in Vuk Vrcevic street. Most of these children have parents who are heroin addicts.
A young man throws his rooster into the air while the street dog observes the opportunity to brake his hunger. People who did not fall into the clutches of drugs live a typical Roma life characterise by high spirit.
Roma residents in the late afternoon in the Vuk Vrcevic street. People avoid walking in this street, except residents of the settlement.
Woman collecting plastic bottles addressed to me: ‘’Child, my advice to you is not to go there - they are all junkes, capable to rob you, to kill you.’’ Unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic Street, which is also called the Dump.
Two brothers jumping at the bed at their home in the Vuk Vrcevic settlement. They have also a 5 year old sister and unfortunately both of their parents are heroin addicts. The grandmother who manages to keep the family functional takes the greatest care of them.
A boy and a pregnat girl playing football. Unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic Street, which is also called the Dump.
A young man having fun in a dirty pond in Roma settlement in Vuk Vrcevic street. Young people who are not part of drugs find joy in everyday life.
An ordinary scene at late afternoon at the entrance of the settlement where dealing drugs takes place.
Sami, a 38 year old heroin addict lighting cigarete at his home in Vuk Vrcevic street. His legs are full of scars and he can hardly walk due to legs infection from intravenously heroin intake. He has 6 children, and his 16 year old daughter is a heroin addict too.
A heroin-addict father sends his 16 year old daughter off to get heroin for herself. In families of heroin addicts, children often follow in their parents' footsteps.
Emran looking at the phone picture of his newborn son . His previous baby died from the suffication in bed, as they didn’t have crib and still failed to obtain. Emran and his wife are not heroin addicts, but their close family members are. Unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic street, which is also called the Dump.
Traditional Roma engagement celebration in the unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic Street, which is also called the Dump.
Traditional Roma costume at the engagement celebration in the unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic Street, which is also called the Dump.
A girl at the traditional Roma engagement celebration in the unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic Street, which is also called the Dump.
Traditional Roma engagement celebration in the unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic Street, which is also called the Dump.
A five year old girl Andjelina sitting with a purse and putting make up on, while having a dreamy look. She has two siblings and both of their parents are heroin addicts. Unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic Street, which is also called the Dump.
Roma residents on the way to the traditional engagement celebration in their neighbourhood in Vuka Vrcevica street.
A woman who saved mouse from the trapp and keeps him in a cage as a pet in unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic Street in Belgrade, which is also called the Dump.
A young man having fun in a dirty pond in Roma settlement in Vuk Vrcevic street. Young people who are not part of drugs find joy in everyday life.
This man can't walk without support since he's got leg infection due to heroin injection. He was afraid for his life, since he needs antibiotics therapy to treat the infection, however he does't have health insurance, nor even ID.
A young man under the influence of heroin with droppy eyelids. Unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic street, which is also called the Dump.
A young man under the influence of heroin. Unsanitary Roma settlement In Vuk Vrcevic street, which is also called the Dump.
