Why does everybody in the Roma community from Dubossary know Margarita?

She has always been the go-to person in her family, offering a helping hand to those in need, either with seeking documentation or translation of a document, writing or reading official letters. "I enjoy working with people, and if there's an opportunity to provide assistance, or if my knowledge can be of use somewhere, I am always open," she remarks.

With her desire to make a difference for the Roma community and her love for people, Margarita found her calling when she was offered the position of community mediator in the city of Dubossary, in the Transnistrian region, her hometown. The Roma population in Dubossary is about 100 persons. 

Reflecting on her early experiences, Margarita shares, "I had long heard about people who help the Roma community, but I didn't know the exact term for this profession. A Roma community mediator is a person from the Roma ethnicity, who promotes the Roma community's access to public services in the fields of health, education, social security, employment, documentation, and other human rights. 

Though relatively new in this field – having started only in January 2024, Margarita firmly believes that this is her true calling. She says, "I believe I am effectively carrying out my responsibilities, and I consider my choice to work with the Roma community a rewarding one." And her commitment to making a positive impact within the community has not gone unnoticed. "Thanks to my work as a mediator, many Roma from the community in our city, have found the courage to address longstanding problems and seek advice on specific matters," she adds with pride.

In her role as a mediator, Margarita diligently fulfills her duties, overseeing areas such as healthcare, documentation, social welfare, and education. "Every day, I ensure that women are registered for and attend regular check-ups at the health centers, and I oversee the vaccination of children," she explains. Her work also extends to assisting individuals in obtaining personal identification documents and providing help with diverse document-related issues. Moreover, she passionately supports Roma in various aspects, including support for accessing aid for vulnerable families and ensuring refugee registration for humanitarian aid. 

Margarita's dedication and the impact of her work in these past three months passed without significant challenges. "I hope that the future will be equally smooth," she says optimistically.

Today, Margarita is one of the six Roma community mediators, who are active on the left bank of the Nistru/ Dniester River. They exchange closely with the 48 community mediators from the right bank of the Nistru/ Dniester.  The Roma community mediators' institution on the left bank is a network created and supported by UN Human Rights Moldova together with its cross-river partner the CSO “Shatior over Nistru” and the National Community Mediators Association.

The continuous support received under this framework has been instrumental in Margarita's growth and development, she recalls. "The funding and organization of various seminars and continuous learning opportunities have been invaluable for our growth and development," she says with gratitude. By actively participating in joint training sessions and seminars with other mediators, she continues to gain valuable knowledge while sharing experiences with her counterparts from both banks of the Nistru/ Dniester river.

As she continues her journey, Margarita aspires to acquire more knowledge and apply it effectively to make problem-solving easier for her community. She aspires to make a substantial contribution to the development of the Roma community, ensuring that they are not left behind and progress is made alongside other communities.

Margarita's story is emblematic of the efforts to empower the Roma community, as part of the One UN Joint Action "Cross-river support to Human Rights", implemented by the United Nations in Moldova and funded by Sweden.