It's dangerous for them. They have no framework, nothing to do. But she knows they have little choice. The Gypsies, like Palestinian residents of east Jerusalem, are legally considered residents of Jerusalem. Most rely on the National Insurance Institute for their sole source of income, but have no health insurance or other benefits.
Many children drop out of school, doomed to continued poverty and marginality.
And so Sleem's story of poverty and humiliation are typical, but her determined perseverance is unusual. I remember watching Zarifa studying at night, huddled over the droppings of a candle that she had collected and put together. Zarifa became the first Domi woman to complete post-secondary school studies. Today, she is a nurse. Sleem lives with her family in the home where they have resided for 75 years.