I am 65 years old, I have four children, 15 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. I have lived in Otaci [a town in the Republic of Moldova] my whole life, making a living out of my agriculture business and other small enterprises.

In the past, I opened a hairdresser salon and a tailor shop and employed a few women and girls. But I want to do more.

I want Otaci to become a town developed by its own population. I want to create jobs and I want every resident of the town to have a decent life. I want women to be promoted and employed. I want people who are living in poverty to have the possibility to bring up their children in better conditions.

I am disturbed to see Roma people excluded from the public life of the town. We are being discriminated. But this must stop. We are citizens of this country and we have equal rights.