Images by Lindsay Kennedy (Lightstalkers) http://www.lightstalkers.org/lindsaykennedy Romanian photo story: A Hidden Destiny. Ramona Lunca, 18, and Ioan Barabas, 21, live together with their two small children, Alexandra and Alexandru, in a one room mud house in the small village of Boiu, Romania. Like so many other Roma people, their lives are simple, yet governed by countless complex stereotypes that were formed long before they entered this world. Therein lies the unfairness of life. We cannot choose the heritage we are born into, yet this is the framework in which the world responds to us. I was drawn to this particular family because once I looked beyond the cracked mud walls and into their eyes, I got the unmistakable sense that they were meant for something more. There was a sort of regal spirit in them that spoke of a destiny beyond the borders of Boiu, a destiny that perhaps they aren't even dreaming for themselves. Yet, showhow, the world will miss out on something if they aren't. en-us Sounds of lively Gypsy music fill the air as the family spends time together. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322843/Boiu_Story_JPEG_03_small.jpg' /><br />Sounds of lively Gypsy music fill the air as the family spends time together.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322843'>Sounds of lively Gypsy music fill the air as the family spends time together.</a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:41:11 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322843 Ramona has a strong spirit about her in the midst of such humble conditions. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322840/Boiu-Story-JPEG-10_small.jpg' /><br />Ramona has a strong spirit about her in the midst of such humble conditions.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322840'>Ramona has a strong spirit about her in the midst of such humble conditions.</a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:41:05 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322840 Ramona watches Ioan leave to try to search out work for the day. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322837/Boiu_Story_JPEG_11_small.jpg' /><br />Ramona watches Ioan leave to try to search out work for the day.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322837'>Ramona watches Ioan leave to try to search out work for the day.</a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:40:58 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322837 As the Roma people highly value time with friends and family, it's not unusual for them to drop by. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322834/Boiu_Story_JPEG_09_small.jpg' /><br />As the Roma people highly value time with friends and family, it's not unusual for them to drop by.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322834'>As the Roma people highly value time with friends and family, it's not unusual for them to drop by.</a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:40:51 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322834 With the money she earned selling the bag of corn to a neighbor down the road, Ramona buys dinner. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322831/Boiu_Story_JPEG_08_small.jpg' /><br />With the money she earned selling the bag of corn to a neighbor down the road, Ramona buys dinner.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322831'>With the money she earned selling the bag of corn to a neighbor down the road, Ramona buys dinner.</a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:40:45 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322831 Ramona has gathered ears of corn left behind in a nearby field in hopes of earning some money. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322828/Boiu_Story_JPEG_07_small.jpg' /><br />Ramona has gathered ears of corn left behind in a nearby field in hopes of earning some money.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322828'>Ramona has gathered ears of corn left behind in a nearby field in hopes of earning some money.</a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:40:41 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322828 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322825/Boiu_Story_JPEG_06_small.jpg' /><br /><br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322825'></a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:40:35 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322825 Alexandra dances in the sole pair of shoes she has to guard her feet against the cold. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322822/Boiu_Story_JPEG_05_small.jpg' /><br />Alexandra dances in the sole pair of shoes she has to guard her feet against the cold.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322822'>Alexandra dances in the sole pair of shoes she has to guard her feet against the cold.</a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:40:28 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322822 Alexandru's inquisitive eyes are always soaking up as much as they can of his surroundings. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322819/Boiu_Story_JPEG_04_small.jpg' /><br />Alexandru's inquisitive eyes are always soaking up as much as they can of his surroundings.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322819'>Alexandru's inquisitive eyes are always soaking up as much as they can of his surroundings.</a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:40:23 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322819 Alexandra (rt) and Alexandru show the remnants of a special treat of bread and jam on their faces <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/322816/Boiu_Story_JPEG_02_small.jpg' /><br />Alexandra (rt) and Alexandru show the remnants of a special treat of bread and jam on their faces<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322816'>Alexandra (rt) and Alexandru show the remnants of a special treat of bread and jam on their faces</a> Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:40:15 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/322816