Paul Polansky returned to Kosovo for the third time since the NATO bombing, in the beginning of June 2001. Having shipped a donated van to Europe, Paul has devoted the summer months to assisting Roma on behalf of VOR. He has been transporting Roma throughout Kosovo, who are often unable to leave their homes for fear of attack/persecution from the Albanians. He has reunited families, taken individuals to medical facilities, organized VOR sponsored soccer games and a benefit concert for missing persons, and attended meetings lobbying for fundamental civil liberties for Roma. Polansky has been advocating on behalf of Roma in regards to safety, security, and legal matters, has been distributing humanitarian aid, and has assisted several Roma in acquiring employment. He has worked diligently to bring the desperate situation faced by certain families and individuals to the attention of international organizations working on the ground in Kosovo, who continue to ignore the plight of the Roma. One such case is a blind woman living alone in Crkvena Vodica, who has not received food or any other form of assistance for 5 months. While Mr. Polansky waited and hoped that the International Red Cross would make good on its promise to "process her paperwork" and begin delivering aid to her, he made sure she received daily meals donated by VOR.

Polansky's work in Kosovo has allowed him to both observe and participate in Romani culture. He has been documenting the tragic stories of the Roma through his poetry, a statistical survey of their communities, and other narrative reports. He has shared in the sorrow of Roma when families have been forced to leave their homes, the fears of physical attacks on the roads, and he has also shared in Romani celebrations (often as an honored guest or chief negotiator) such as engagements, and weddings.

An integral aspect of Polansky's work on behalf of VOR has been to update his 1999 survey, which examines the impact of the NATO bombings and the return of the Ethnic Albanian majority population beginning in June of 1999 on Romani communities in Kosovo. The updated survey is scheduled for publication in October 2001. If you would like to receive a copy of the 2001 survey, please send requests to: trinroma@pacbell.net.