Musicianship or Recycling Job?,  Istanbul 2011-2014

One of the best 100 "Entrepreneurs" projects in the World held by "Global Institute For Tomorrow" Hong Kong 2014

Roma people are a major group in "others" category in every country of the world. Many of us judge and convict them in our minds with our prejudices. I think this culture can teach us a lot. Roma seem to hold on to their freedom, they know how to be content with simple things and the beauty that nature provides. Their close-knit family and community structure provides them with a sense of security. It would be a good thing for the rest of us to become acquainted with such a culture. Jobs is not so much in this society living daily. Difficult to find a job. Collecting recyclable materials and to be a musician are most important economic occupations in big cities. Roma musicians who plays clarinets are respectable people in their own communities. Orchestras are created by them. Weddings and other events organizers try to reach out to these people. In 2011, during the "Roma and Wedding" work I meet a young clarinetist. His name was Kerem. He was playing the clarinet to his wife before their wedding to relieve. It was interesting for me and I took an image. 2 years later I visited Kerem's family again and saw had a son. Little brother Sahin had started to play the clarinet. He is currently in a basic education student. His aim is to be a good musician like his brother. Kerem is doing solo music in weddings and henna nights. His daily earning is around 100 dollars. This is a good earning for the Roma community. But not constantly, usually on the weekends between May and September. But he have to spend a portion of the money to buy more powerfull equipment for his little orchestra. Thus, more will be sought for the ceremonies. Kerem's aim is to be recognized more with more music to increase his income. Perhaps in this way, He will have opportunity to live in a house belonging to him with his wife and children. Mother begins to work with recycling goods during the week. She does not need a beginning capital Every morning before sunrise, she goes to the garbages of surrounding streets and collects paper, plastic. She carry them to in front of the house with wheelbarrow. She classify them till noon time and sells. She earns 15-20 dollars for a day. She defines herself as environmentalists. All these earnings have to be enough for 6 people sharing the same house.