The most well-known part, the settlement of Chánov, is infamous as a ghetto inhabited by Roma (Gypsies). Population of Chánov is 1,500 - 2,000 (estimate 2006).
During 1976 - 1978, 12 large paneláks (concrete tenements) with 380 fully equipped flats, school building and infrastructure was built by communist party to accommodate people from parts of Most torn down to make way for mining.
The intention was to create an exemplary community for Roma (Gypsies) living, until then, scattered throughout Most in low quality housing, and to prove that the socialist state was able to integrate them.
A government commission visiting Chánov in 1985 found most of the flats in poor condition and the people living in isolation from the rest of the city.
Chánov lacks the majority of basic services. Hot water was cut off in 2000 as it was not paid for. Families that do not pay electricity have it disconnected, but illegal consumption is common. Almost no one pays the rent. Security is terrible as police patrols prove ineffective, and over time Chánov has become a symbol of Roma ghettoization and criminality. 94% of the people have only primary education (often not completed). The Roma, many newly arrived from Slovakia, often lack the skills to assimilate, have low or no education and are unemployed (90% in 2006).
This statistics led us to visit the Chanov a week ago and our outreach activities there were met with an amazing response.
Please, keep us in prayers as we are waiting for God's leading concerning this and other places for future consistent outreaches.
(Janov-Litvinov city is another Romi ghetto 10x bigger than Chanov, Ceske Budejovice is a south Bohemian beautiful city, Brno city is a central part of Moravia etc.)
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