Dignity Day: Homeless not Hopeless

The best thing that happened last week was getting the opportunity to chat to our local homeless people at Dignity Day on Friday, an initiative of Revamp the Valley and Social Work Connect hosted by False Bay College in Fish Hoek, some common themes emerged – estrangement from family, addiction and vulnerability to hunger, sickness and crime.

Abie is well known in the Valley, always with his canine companion Isis at his side. He tells me sadly that he hasn’t seen his children in just over two years. They live in Pretoria with his ex-wife. One night they lost their home in a fire. Abie was born and educated here so he returned to the valley to be near family and friends.

Abie & Isis

“My journey’s been tough hey. Fish Hoek has changed a lot -- it’s rough. I’ve been chased with pangas. There’s nowhere to sleep and we get flack from law enforcement about where we leave our stuff during the day. It’s tough but you put a smile on your face and just carry on. Isis is the one who keeps me going.”

Justine tells a harrowing tale of mental illness and losing her children. She has a strong personality and is quickly designated an organizing force within the workshop offered on identity and self-worth. She, like so many of the homeless community, is refreshingly honest and with nothing to hide speaks frankly of her struggles. 

Justine

John (I blogged about our story here) can always be seen reading the books he loves from Fish Hoek library. He tells me there’s a hefty fee to get into the shelters in Kalk Bay and Simon’s Town, what’s more there’s an age limit which he doesn’t meet.

John

“You have different types of homeless people. Those who hate being on the street like myself and others who are happy to be on the street. They want their freedom, they don’t want to play by the rules of society or shelters. There’s a big problem with alcohol and drugs. Some might have been addicts before they became homeless. But it’s a very monotonous life -- you’ve got nowhere to go, no goal in the day, so to relieve it you can drink or you can drug. We are lucky enough to be provided with meals most nights by individuals and churches. I’m registered as an extra but I’ve had four phones stolen over the past year so it makes it difficult. I read three or four books a week. Unfortunately, the library is closed at the moment, but they have an honesty shelf. I love Jeffrey Archer and biographies related to film and television.”

Fiorella arrived to volunteer on the day.

Fiorella

“I find the homeless lovely to be with – they are harmless and needy, as we all are. There is no pretense. You can share a joke without criticism. I worked in psychiatry and you can really relax and be yourself around these people. You never know who you could have been without living through awful drama for so many years.”

I'm going to try and help keep hunger at bay on a Wednesday night with the help of Zelda.
If anyone wants to get involved or has access to food or beverage please contact me. 

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