Sunt dezamagit, dar trebuia sa stiu mai devreme
My school's computer lab came today, but not as it had been promised in October. Instead of a 10-computer classroom full of modern machines to replace our school's current ones from 1997, my school received a single computer, which they placed in the secretary's office.
I should have known better than to believe a document from this government.
Nobody may ever know what happened to the money and computers that were promised to my school. What disappoints me the most is not the fact that we didn't get what was promised to us, but the reaction of my school's principal and vice-principal.
"It's not what we were told was coming, but it's one and we're thankful for what we received," the vice-principal said. The principal had a similar opinion. I seemed to be the only one in the room of four people even closed to outraged.
"The county has a problem with finances," the principal said.
"The county has a problem with lying," I countered.
It's a disappointing day for me, but honestly, I was half-expecting it. October had been the first time in over a year of living in Mereseni that I had heard of the federal or county government helping my village in any way. Now that I know it was a lie, it all makes sense.
Labels: computers, government, school
posted by Peter Myers @ 5:53 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Hi there...
I've been living in Romania for the past 2 years although currently am in the USA (will return shortly though).
Just found your blog last week and wanted to drop you a note and say hi and that I appreciate your forthrightness as well as your interesting video clips (haven't seen the photos yet).
What prompted me to write however is the case of the computers. I note that both your school director and other local official are happy with just one whereas it seems you are upset about the missing 9.
There's a good reason why your director is happy and you are not. You're used to a transparent system where everyone more or less "plays by the rules". That's fine in the USA but it would never work in Moldova (or Romania) and if your director went to the primaria or the judet administration (or whatever it's called) and complained, there would be huge trouble.
Things get done a different way over there. Right now it seems like you got the "short end of the stick" but sometimes when you need help to cut through red tape or get things done unofficially, then the unofficial system works wonders. The Moldovan and Romanian system is the same as in Russia - it's a result of poor central administration not getting things done in a way that help people.
Do you know the Romanian word "pile" If so you need some and then you can get some computers for your school. Right now your director is happy because he got some attention and praise AND a computer. Don't worry about whose pockets got lined because those are the same people who can help you.
I myself suffered for a long time in Romania at the hands of bureaucratic thievery and red tape but in the end it worked to my advantage - it's just a different way of life. Buy a few crates of tuica or vodka and go around and MEET these local officials. Those are the people who can help and no talk show or stupid letter will.
Peace
-Soj
Greasing the old bureaucratic machine can work wonders, but it should really be avoided if possible. Encouraging corruption at such a low level will not help Moldova or Romania for that matter (I'm Romanian, BTW).
As far as I know, second hand computers go for around 100 USD a piece (PIII level). While not a developper's or gamer's choice, PIIIs will be more than enough for teaching kids basic OS administrative skills and document editing. It would also fit with the official curricula, which, if it's simillar, to our's should revolve around DOS based C++ and/or Pascal.
That means that your equipment could be obtained for around 1500 USD, monitors included. With a little effort, that kind of money can be obtained through fundraising and lobbying, even in RO or MD. I also believe there should be some EU funds that can be accessed on a project basis, especially now that MD is bordering the EU and at least officially aiming for EU integration. Any of those would really help, and might even yield better results.
Greasing the beurocratic cogs on the other hand, would probably require some 25% of the required money while also promoting corruption.
By the way, I have never bribed anybody in RO untill now and it worked fine for me. The closest I ever came to a bribe was offering some chocolate to a secretary because I wanted to get something processed ahead of schedule. Bottom line? It can be done, but it takes planning, stubborness and a big fat mouth.
Tudor
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