His poverty-stricken region suffers regular power cuts and other miseries.

ECONOMIST: The hedgehog and the fox

Because a once-proud, dynamic culture in the forefront of world civilizations, and still carrying a message of their own superiority to "infidels" today, is painfully visible to the whole world as a poverty-stricken and backward region, lagging far behind in virtually every field of human endeavor.

FORBES: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Often, the future of entire families is in the balance as these Roma, among the most poverty-stricken people in a deeply impoverished region, seek to forge mutually beneficial unions that will help them weather Bulgaria's brutal economic downturn.

NPR: Gypsies Flock To Bridal Fair As Parents Negotiate

The draft agreement would give the leaders of the Bangsamoro more political and economic powers, promises the people a "just and equitable share" of the region's abundant natural resources, and pledges to address the needs of poverty-stricken communities.

BBC: Philippines and Muslim rebels agree peace deal