We've all walked passed that person on the side of the road. Been approached by a poorly dressed person with their hand out pressed towards us. Seen the begging placards.
The Homeless, the workless evokes different feelings. Confusion, compassion, frustration...anger and much more.
I was just in the "home" of a lady who has two kids (ages 6 and 2). She, we were told, does not have psychiatric problems by the Psychiatric doctor who is part of the night mobile team that survey the streets for the homeless. Their job: interact, identify and react to them. There are approximately 5500 "known" homeless in Bucharest. The team we're in consists of 4 people.
This is our first stop and we're greeted by a man who cheerfully escort us into this place. It's through behind curtains across derelict land into a shabby old hut like building. We pass the religious icons with a dim light above into a room.
The immediate impression was the child proof wooden plank to stop the toddler I presume getting out. The man invites us in.
We barely fit in. And huddle around the mattress with a tv blaring out some children's programme. Above the bed a window and next to it a solitary picture of the 6 year old daughter in her students outfit proudly adorning their wall.
The night team are cuddling the kids and the doctor making notes. She on they other hand has not stopped talking, showing off her kids colouring in book and talking us through every achievement proudly. She's mesmerising with her intensity of description. Her daughter just quietly plays around us and son goes wonderfully excited as only 2 year olds do.
The lady was "born on the streets". She lived on them. Married on them. Lost their first child on them and now raises her family on them. Her husband lost his house in a fire and due to not having insurance lived on the streets where he met his wife to be. They, we are informed, "just want to raise a family."
She continues turning each page gleefully of this exercise book. The husband quietly towering in the corner whilst she continues her excited monologue.
As we leave we say a flurry of goodbyes.
Our team leader says it is we who learn our lessons in life from people like this. Oh and her name is "Hope".
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