Ego Sum
ego sum
The Face of Homelessness
Maltese homelessness is a hidden reality…
…a taboo that cannot be discussed candidly. Stereotypes in popular culture perpetuate the severely mentally ill, substance abusers, and ‘lazy parasites mooching state aid‘ as the homeless around us. A choice is often implicit in this narrative – people don’t become homeless, they choose to live that way. The reality of our homeless population today is far more diverse, and much closer to home…
Entire families with young children; individuals who have lost their jobs due to the economic downturn; those working full-time and still unable to compete in a landlord-first rental market and soaring living costs; those with a university degree or in full-time education. The so-called middle and upper classes are also increasingly experiencing homelessness/rooflessness.
To raise awareness of our new social reality and to debunk stereotypes around homelessness and rooflessness, YMCA Malta has embarked on a multi-venue exhibition, partly funded by Art Council Malta, entitled Ego Sum.
ego sum means I Am in Latin.
I have formed my own concept of Self.
I exist in and with the exterior world around me.
Ego Sum elevates 36 individual definitions of self – physical descriptions, personal stories, personality traits, etc – into a collective experience that transcends the sum of its parts.
This exhibition aims to show that being homeless/roofless is but a mere chapter in somebody’s life; that homelessness or rooflessness do not define who that person is or may become.
That homeless person on the street is in fact a doctor, parent, artist, chef, footballer, dreamer or student.
The walk-through exhibition depicts the artistic sketches of Rachel Bowman and the photography of Tyler Calleja Jackson. Both these Maltese artists were inspired by the interviews conducted with 50 homeless individuals and, together with Sofiya Chuzhda and Gwennaelle Viard, created the final collage.
I consider myself a strong lady. I am a 46-year-old single mother, and I am employed in the social service field. As a single mother, I learned not only to care for my children but to care for others around me. Helping others and being kind is part of my nature. Yet, I am also homeless, which is a painful and psychologically, it is a traumatic period in my life. My self-respect hit rock bottom as I was financially drained to the extent of being unable to feed my children. Since I became homeless, my plans have broken down, and despite being employed, I cannot put my mind to rest until I pay all my debts. I see my children’s upbringing as an accomplishment I have achieved in life, including travelling to Europe. This interview made me realise realise how strong I am and how far I have come despite all my suffering.
Nikkunsidra lili nnifsi bħala mara ta’ karattru sod. Għandi 46 sena, single mother u naħdem fis-settur soċjali. Bħala single mother ma tgħallimtx biss nieħu ħsieb lill-uliedi, iżda ukoll lil ta’ madwari. Hija fin-natura tiegħi li ngħin lill-ħaddieħor u nkun qalbi tajba ma’ kulħadd. Bħalissa għaddeja minn mument diffiċli u ta’ uġigħ għax m’għandiex dar tiegħi, u din it-trawma affettwatni psikoloġikament. Tant kont batuta finanzjarjament li ma stajtx nitma lil uliedi u tant affettwatni din is-sitwazzjoni li tlift ir-rispett lejha nnifsi. Il-pjannijiet tiegħi sfaxxaw fix-xejn minnmindu spiċċajt bla saqaf fuq rasi, u minkejja li naħdem, ma nistax nistrieħ qabel inħallas id-dejn kollhu li għandi. L-akbar sens ta’ sodisfazzjoni għalija huma li rabbejt tajeb lill-uliedi u li dort l-Ewropa. Din l-intervista għenitni nirrealizza kemm jien b’saħħti, u kemm imxejt ‘il quddiem fil-ħajja minkejja li għaddejt minn ħafna tbatijiet.
I am a 59-year-old man. I am a husband, father, grandfather and very few people are aware that I am also a Captain. My role as a father gave value to my life as it helped me understand the values of life, how to nurture and care for my son, provide support, and above all, feel valued. I am also homeless, and this state frustrates me, as I feel constantly afraid, desperate, guilty, and helpless at times. My role as a father to my two children gives me hope. Although sometimes I wonder if I have accomplished anything in my life, I remind myself that fatherhood and being a man of business running my own company are both significant accomplishments. I don’t want people to put me into any categories.
Jien raġel ta’ 59 sena. Miżżewweġ, missier, nannu u Kaptan tal-vapuri ukoll – xi ħaġa li ftit nies jafu dwari. Ir-rwol tiegħi ta’ missier ta valur importanti lill-ħajti għaliex għeni sabiex nifhem il-valura tal-ħajja, tgħallimt kif inrabbi u nieħu ħsieb lill-ibni, u fuq kollox inħossni stmat. Pero’ jien m’għandiex dar, u din is-sitwazzjoni tiffrustrani għaliex inħossni mdejjaq, iddisprat, bla ħeġġa u nwaħħal fija nnifsi li ninsab f’din is-sitwazzjoni. Ir-rwol tiegħi bla missier jtini sens ta’ tama. Kultant nistaqsi lili nnifsi jekk ilħaqtx l-għanijiet tiegħi fil-ħajja, pero’, fl-istess ħin, infakkar lili nnifsi li l-fatt li qed inrabbi lill-uliedi u li jien sid ta’ negozju, t-tnejn huma kisbiet importanti għalija.
Above everything else, I am a citizen, a friend, a brother, a neighbour, a consumer, and a son; I am 43 years old. Yes, I am 43, but I still feel that my most dominant role is that of a son! Despite being homeless, my ties to my family make me stronger and confident that I will surpass this period in my life. It reminds me not to take things for granted. Homelessness frustrates me, makes me angry, and leaves me without dignity and helpless – it makes me an unsocialized man. I am learning to love as sometimes I feel lonely, so I am learning to find friends who understand me and are sympathetic to my situation to help me feel less anxious. I travelled a lot, and I was always successful in sports. Now I am self-employed, and this is my accomplishment. In five years, I want to start my own family and share the love I am learning to feel.
L-ewwel u qabel kollox jien ċittadin, ħabib, ġarr, konsumatur u iben. Għandi 43 sena. Iva, għandi 43 pero’ xorta waħda nħoss li l-aktar rwol dominanti f’ħajti hu dak ta’ iben. Avolja m’għandiex dar, r-relazzjoni tiegħi mal-familja s-saħħaħni u tgħini nkun kunfidenti li ser jirnexxili ngħeleb dan il-mument diffiċli f’ħajti. Dejjem inżomm f’moħħi li huwa importanti li napprezza u ngħożż dak li għandi. Hija frustranti li m’għandiex dar tiegħi, tlift id-dinjita’ tiegħi u nħossni bla ħeġġa – din is-sitwazzjoni ġabitni persuna maqtuha minn kulħadd. Erġajt bdejt nitgħallem inħobb għax kultant inħossni waħdi u għaldaqstant qed nitgħallem kif nibni ħbiberiji ġodda, ħbieb li jifhmuni u li jissimpatizzaw mas-sitwazzjoni tiegħi bl-għan li jkolli inqas sens ta’ anzjeta’. Vjaġġajt ħafna u minn dejjem kont tajeb fl-isport. Illum naħdem għal rasi u din għalija hija kisba importanti ħafna. Fil-ħames snin li ġejjin nixtieq nibda’ familja fejn inkun nista’ naqsam l-imħabba tiegħi.
In five years, I want to be financially independent. I am happy that people around me view me as honest and hardworking. Despite that, I am homeless, which makes me feel lonely, scared, desperate and, at times, panicked. I am a Pastry Chef, and I am employed with a Contractor.
Jien naħdem bħala Pastry Chef. Fil-ħames snin li ġejjin nixtieq li nkun finanzjarjament indipendenti. Inħossni kuntent li dawk ta’ madwari jarawni bħala raġel onest u bieżel. Pero’, jien persuna li m’għandiex fejn noqgħod, u nħossni waħdi, mbeżża, iddisprat, u kultant, jnissel fija sens ta’ paniku.
I am 72 years old, homeless, and now, I am also a grandmother. My primary duty in life was that of a housewife and a mother, but I also worked as a cleaner and babysitter for my grandchildren. As a housewife, I always felt good, and it kept me busy. Cooking and preparing meals for my family was satisfying, and it made my family happy. Now that I am homeless, I feel lonely, and it is stressful to move from one place to another, jumping into the unknown. Homelessness restricts me from my children and grandchildren. It is a tiring situation. Family was always my priority. Also, I am finding it hard to make new friends. My main accomplishments in life were not only as a family bearer but also learning to cook and to learn English, which I speak very fluently.
Għandi 72 sena, nanna u m’għandiex dar tiegħi. Id-dmir primarju f’ħajti dejjem kien ta’ mara tad-dar, u omm. Kont naħdem bħala cleaner u issa nieħu ħsieb lin-neputijiet tiegħi. Kont kuntenta bħala mara tad-dar għax kont il-ħin kollu għaddeja nagħmel xi ħaġa. Is-sodisfazzjoni tiegħi kienu li nsajjar u nipprepara l-ikliet għall-familja u l-familja tiegħi kienet waħda kuntenta. Issa li m’għandiex dar nħossni waħdi, u huwa stressanti ġġorr ħwejjġek minn post għall-ieħor – ma tkunx taf x’ser issib ma’ wiċċek. Li m’għandiex dar, qed iżżommni ‘l bogħod minn uliedi u minn neputijiet tiegħi. Inħossni għajjejt. Il-familja kienet dejjem l-ewwel prijorita’ għalija. Barraminnhekk insiba diffiċli biex nagħmel ħbiberiji ġodda. Madannakollu, minnbarra s-sodisfazzjon li rabbejt lill-uliedi u ħadt ħsieb lill-familja, huwa ukoll ta’ sodisfazzjon kbira għalija li tgħallimt insajjar tajjeb u kif ukoll tgħallimt l-Inġliż.
I became homeless due to drug misuse, but I always found support from organisations such as the RISE Foundation that supported and motivated me. In this situation, I do not have my own personal space, which is not easy. Yes, I was in prison before. Today, though, I am a businessman and have my own business. I work in the artistic sector. Apart from that, I am also a chef, a father, and also in a romantic relationship. I am 46 years old. I always had family issues. I come from a very low-income family, which made it even harder for us when we were young to learn life skills, and coming from a poor family where my parents lacked parental skills, stigma revolves around you. I am very spiritual, and I feel that God has given me a lot of support throughout my hardships. I aspire to become a homeowner, and my accomplishments are not only my own business but also my resilience in life.
Spiċċajt bla dar minħabba li kont nabbuża mid-drogi imma dejjem sibt sapport minn organizzazzjonijiet varji li dejjem għenuni u mmotivawni. Il-perjodu li qed ngħix bħalissa m’huwiex daqstant faċli minħabba li m’ghandix saaqaf fuq rasi. Fil-passat kont il-ħabs. Pero’ illum jien negozjant u għandi n-negozju tiegħi fil-qasam ta’ l-arti. Barraminnhekk, jien ukoll kok, missier u qiegħed f’relazzjoni romantika. Għandi 46 sena u minn dejjem esperjezajt problemi familjari. Ġej minn familja bi dħul baxx, il-ġenituri tiegħi ma kellhomx “parenting skills” tajbin u għaldaqstant, kien diffiċli ħafna għalija li nitgħallem ħiliet differenti, allura konna dejjem niġu stigmattizati u imwarrbin mill-ġirien. Jien bniedem spiritwali, u nemmen li meta kelli mumenti diffiċli f’ħajti, il-Mulej dejjem provdili l-għajnuna li kelli bżonn. Il-ħolma tiegħi hija li xi darba nixtri dar. In-negozju tiegħi mhux l-unika sodisfazzjoni tiegħi. Inħossni kburi li jien bniedem reżiljenti f’ħajti.
Homelessness is a challenging phase in my life. I feel blessed and happy that I have found safety in a shelter that empowers me and gives me a support system. I am 35 years old, and apart from that, I work and have friends and great colleagues. I almost forgot that I am also a singer and a dancer. Homelessness does not allow me enough time to pursue my role as a performer, and when I try, I feel stigmatised because I am a third-country national. I have gained more confidence in life after living this experience of homelessness. I am a survivor in my life. I wish people around me could see my goodness and strength and that they could appreciate me more.
Bħalissa huwa mument diffiċli ferm għalija għaliex m’għandiex dar tiegħi. Nħossni xxurtjat u kuntent li sibt xelter fejn qed jgħinuni sabiex nimxi ‘l quddiem f’ħajti u li jtuni s-sapport li għandi bżonn. Għandi 35 sena, naħdem, għandi l-ħbieb u kollegi tal-ġenn. Kont għodni nsejt, imma jien kantant u żeffien ukoll. Il-fatt li m’għandiex dar tiegħi, ma tantx tħallili ħin biex naħdem fuq ir-rwol tiegħi bħala artist u meta nipprova, nħossni stigmattizat għaliex jien ċittandin ta’ pajjiż terz. Dan il-kapitlu ta’ ħajti għenni sabiex inkun aktar kunfidenti. Nixtieq li dawk ta madwari jaraw it-tajjeb fija u nkun apprezzat aktar.
I am a 32-year-old single parent, unemployed but a qualified carer to work with persons with disabilities. My strongest role is that of a mother, as it gave me the opportunity to grow and a purpose in life. Homelessness left me suffering from anxiety and has impacted my daughter psychologically as we had to leave our home due to a fire – homelessness wasn’t my choice. It was a trauma. This interview made me realise I was also a singer when I was younger, forming part of a choir. In the future, I want to pursue my dream in the field of arts and performance.
Jien single parent u għandi 32 sena. Ma naħdimx pero’ kwalifikata sabiex naħdem bħala carer ma’ persuni b’diżabilità. Ir-rwol primarju tiegħi huwa dak ta’ omm għax itini l-opportunita’ li nikber u tagħni skop f’ħajti. Kellna nitilqu mid-dar tagħna wara li l-post ġie maħkum min-nirien. Li nkunu bla saqaf fuq rasna ma kinietx għażla tagħna. Din il-ġrajja nisslet fija sens ta’ anzjeta’ u affetwat lil binti psikoloġikament. Kienet trawmatika. Din l-intervista fakkritni li jien kantanta ukoll – meta kont żgħira kont inkanta f’kor. Fil-futur nixtieq naħdem sabiex il-ħolma tiegħi, dik li nkun attiva fix-xena artistika – issir realta’.
I am 30 years old, an animal lover, a fisherman, and a traveller. Above anything else, I feel that my most dominant role is that of a survivor. Homelessness left me worried and with mixed feelings despite my hopes to have a more stable life. I do not have a lot of support from my family, and this makes me sad and angry and disappointed that I was left without their support. My greatest achievement in life is that I survived a potentially terminal illness. I am employed and look forward to being stable again and travelling again.
Għandi 30 sena, sajjied, vjaġġatur u nħobb l-annimali. Pero’, l-aktar rwol dominanti f’ħajti huwa dak ta’ survivor. Il-problema li m’għandiex dar tiegħi ħallietni nkwetat u mħasseb avolja għadni nittama li jkolli ħajja aktar stabbli fil-futur. Inħossni mdejjaq, irrabjat u ddizapuntat li m’għandiex għajnuna mingħand tal-familja. L-akbar sodisfazzjon f’ħajti hija li rnexxili ngħelleb marda potenzjalment terminali. Illum il-ġurnata naħdem u qed nagħmel ħilti sabiex nikseb aktar stabilita’ f’ħajti u ninsab ħeqan li tasal il-ġurnata li nkun nista’ nerġa’ nibda nivjaġġ.
I am a 23-year-old mother, who is ashamed, sad, disappointed, and worried about my homelessness situation. I work as a cleaner, but I am interested in switching to a career in care, especially working with children. This interest came to me as I learned that as a mother, I am very sensitive to my child’s care and am caring. I am also a dancer.
Jien omm u żeffiena u għandi 23 sena u nħoss sens ta’ mistħija, dwejjaq u diżappunt u ninsab inkwetata rigward il-fatt li m’għandiex dar tiegħi. Jien naħdem bħala cleaner pero’ nixtieq insib xogħol fis-settur soċjali u naħdem mat-tfal. Dan il-qasam beda jinteresani meta indunajt li bħala omm jiena sensittiva’ ħafna għall-bżonnijiet u l-kura ta’ uliedi.
I am a 19-year-old student at MCAST studying creative arts. I am a dreamer and wish to become a clothes designer. YMCA Malta gave me an opportunity to design a poster related to my area of study, which was then printed on promotional material for one of their projects. I am very lucky as a student and grateful for the opportunities I have been given that will help me in the future. I am also homeless at the moment, and although I feel safe living at the YMCA, I feel sad that my family abandoned me. I play volleyball and have a good relationship with my friends.
Għandi 19-il sena u studenta l-MCAST fl-Institute for the Creative Arts. Il-ħolma tiegħi hija li nsir disinjattriċi tal-ħwejjeġ. Il-YMCA Malta tagħtni l-opportunita’ sabiex niddisinja poster b’tema relatata mall-qasam tal-istudji tiegħi. Dan il-poster ġie stampat u intuża bħala parti mill-materjal promozzjonali għal wieħed mill-proġetti tal-YMCA Malta. Inħossni xxurtjata li jiena studenta u grata għall-opportunitajiet illi għandi u li ħa jkunu ta’ benefiċċju kbir għall-futur tiegħi. Bħalissa jien m’għandiex dar tiegħi, il-familja tiegħi abandunatni pero’ il-YMCA Malta qed toffrili post sigur. Jien nilgħab il-volleyball u għandi relazzjoni tajba ma’ sħabi.
I am a licensed security officer, painter, drama enthusiast, a mother, in love with sports, and also, at the moment, I am studying management. Above anything else, I am a 38-year-old survivor; two of my children passed away, and my other two children are currently living with my grandmother. I love my grandparents and appreciate all the support they are giving me in this temporary state of homelessness. Although I am studying, I am also looking for better employment and to improve my skills. I am hopeful for the future, and I know my future will be better than it is right now. One of my greatest accomplishments was the opportunity to sing with Hooligan on Skype.
Għandi liċenzja sabiex inkun nista’ naħdem bħala uffiċjal tas-sigurta’, jien artista, nħobb id-drama, omm, inħobb l-isport u bħalissa qed insegwi kors fil-management. Għandi 38 sena u survivor. Jien omm ta’ erbat itfal. Tnejn minn uliedi ħallew din id-dinja u t-tnejn l-oħra jgħixu man-nanniet tiegħi. Lin-nanniet inħobbhom wisq u grata mmens għall-għajnuna kollha li qed jtuni f’dan iż-żmien tant diffiċli għalina fejn m’għandniex dar. Għalkemm qed nistudja, qed infittex xogħol aħjar u qed naħdem qalliel sabiex intejjeb il-ħiliet tiegħi. Noħlom li fil-futur qarib ikollna ħajja aħjar u ‘mma ninstab ċerta li ser jirnexxilna nerġgħu nqumu fuq saqajna. Waħda mill-akbar kisbiet tiegħi hi li kelli l-opportunita’ li nkanta mall-kantant Hooliga.
I am a 22-year-old delivery man who loves animals. In this temporary state of homelessness, I am very worried about my future. My hobbies are cars.
Jien ġuvni ta’ 22 sena. Naħdem bħala delivery man u nħobb ħafna l-annimali. Bħalissa li ninsab temporanjament mingħajr saqaf fuq rasi, inħossni imħasseb fuq il-futur tiegħi – ma nafx x’ser jiġri. Il-karozzi huma l-passatemp favorit tiegħi.
True friends are hard to find, but I consider myself a good friend with a lot to give to those who want to be my friend. However, I am a 54-year-old homeless woman who was pushed by those who abused my friendship to take drugs. Nowadays, I am living my life day by day, aware that I need to work more on myself and my present state. I learned how to defend myself in society, speak my mind, and protect my boundaries, but I also learnt to think before I react. I accomplished a lot while I closed the chapter of my past life. Those around me see a positive change in me, and I am happy that I am now pursuing my dreams. I am now working a full-time job that gives me dignity, and those around me have also accepted me as one of them.
Illum il-ġurnata huwa diffiċli li jkollok ħbieb ġenwini, pero’ nikkonsidra ruħi bħala ħabiba ta’ veru u li nagħmel minn kollox għal min irid ikun ħabib tiegħi. Għandi 54 sena, homeless, u ġejt abbużata minn dawk li kont naħseb li huma ħbieb tiegħi u waqqawni fil-vizzju tad-drogi. Illum ngħix ħajti ġurnata b’ġurnata, konxja dwar kemm hu importanti li naħdem fuqi nnifsi, u l-istat preżenti tiegħi sabiex inkun nista’ nimxi ‘l quddiem. Tgħallimt niddefendi ruħi minn min irid jagħmili l-ħsara, ngħid li għandi ngħid, niproteġġi l-boundaries personali tiegħi, u li naħseb sew qabel nirreaġġixxi. Inħossni kuntenta li qed naħdem sabiex l-ħolm tiegħi jsir realta’ u li ta’ madwari qed jindunaw bil-bidliet pożittivi f’ħajti. Bħalissa naħdem u x-xogħol qed jerġa’ jtini d-dinjita’ tiegħi lura, u qed niġi aċċettata minn ta’ madwari.
I am a 59-year-old ex-homeless woman who has been living independently for years now. Homelessness back then left me feeling helpless. YMCA Malta gave me a lot of support, especially in understanding that I must seek help for myself first. I preferred sleeping rough rather than asking my children to help me, as I felt my situation would impinge on their marriage. Now that I live independently, I look back on my accomplishments as a fighter and survivor. I have better relationships with those around me and close friends that visit me. I started to live.
Għandi 59 sena u ngħix għal rasi imma fil-passat kont homeless. Ma kontx naf x’ser naqbad nagħmel meta ma kelliex fejn noqgħod. Il-YMCA Malta tatni ħafna sapport u għenitni nifhem li l-ewwel u qabel kollox għandi nieħu ħsieb tiegħi nnifsi. Kont nippreferi norqod barra fit-triq milli nitlob l-għajnuna lill-uliedi għaliex kont nemmen li s-sitwazzjoni tiegħi kienet ser tħalli impatt negattiv fuq iż-żwiġijiet tagħhom. Illum il-ġurnata, issa li ngħix għal rasi, nħares lura lejn il-kisbiet ta’ ħajti u nqies ruħi bħala fighter u survivor. Bnejt relazzjonijiet sodi ma’ ta’ madwari. Fl-aħħar, erġajt bdejt ngħix.
I am a 37-year-old homeless woman. This situation makes me feel lost, alone, forgotten, abandoned, without direction, and with a sense of being a failure in life. I am a teacher by profession, and I am also studying to improve my education level. I have accomplished a lot as a wife in a loving relationship. This identity gives me satisfaction and a shoulder to lean on. It keeps me fulfilled, accomplished, and loved. As a citizen, I feel the system is unfair, and sometimes I feel rejected and forgotten by society. My greatest accomplishments in life are that I started working again and giving private lessons, which are giving me the possibility to save money.
Għandi 37 u m’għandiex post li nista’ nsejjaħlu d-dar tiegħi. Minħabba din is-sitwazzjoni nħossni mitlufa, waħdi, minsija, abandunata, bla ebda’ sens ta’ direzzjoni u nħossni li f’ħajti fallejt. Bħala ċittadina, inħoss li s-sistema mhix ġusta’, kultant inħossni mmwarba u minsija mis-soċjeta’. Jien naħdem bħala għalliema u bħalissa qed nistudja sabiex intejjeb il-kwalifiki tiegħi. Ksibt ħafna bħala mara miżżewġa. Din l-identita’ ttini sens ta’ sodissfazzjon, imħabba u spalla fuq min inserraħ. Kienet importanti ħafna għalija li erġajt lura għad-dinja tax-xogħol u saħansitra qed nagħti l-lezzjonijiet privati li qed jgħinuni sabiex inkun nista’ nfaddal sabiex nimxi ‘il quddiem f’ħajti.
I am a roofless 51-year-old woman who, unfortunately, to survive this situation, I’ve ended up on the wrong side of the law. I remember how big of an event it was when I was due to leave prison. I felt anxious and alone. I had nowhere to go, and I ended up roofless again. People think that I am a prostitute. Others say help is around the corner; why does she not want it? Society looks at you as if you are nothing, stripping you of your dignity. Despite feeling lost and maybe unfit for society, I used to work as a state employee.
Jien mara ta’ 51 sena li m’għandiex fejn noqgħod, li, sfortunatament, sabiex inkun nista’ ngħix fis-sitwazzjoni li ninsab fiha, kelli nikser il-liġi. Niftakar il-ħerqa kbira li kelli meta kont wasalt biex noħroġ mill-ħabs. Kont anzjuża u ħassejtni waħdi. Ma kelli mkien fejn immur la darba noħroġ, u għal darb’oħra, spiċċajt ngħix barra fit-triq. In-nies jaħsbu li jiena mara tat-triq. Oħrajn jgħidu “Hawn l-għajnuna, għalfejn ma tridix?” Is-soċjeta’ tqisek daqs li kieku m’inti xejn, tneżżak mid-dinjita’ tiegħek. Minkejja li nħossni mitlufa u forsi mhux aċċettata fis-soċjeta’, jien kont impjegata statali.
I am an engineer, a father, a trainer, a mentor, an inventor and a dreamer. I am also a 63-year-old homeless person. Homelessness turned my life upside down, making me completely lose myself in the process. I forgot that, as an engineer, I was able to do what I wanted to do. Being an engineer gave me a sense of belonging within my family, as my family has a long history in the engineering trade. Homelessness strips you of other identities. Even if I hit rock bottom, when I think about my profession and what I have accomplished, it gives me a sense of satisfaction and pushes me to continue working to succeed.
Jien inġinier, missier, trejner, mentor, inventur u persuna li toħlom kbir. Jien persuna bla dar li għandha 63 sena. Id-dinja tiegħi inqalbet ta’ taħt fuq meta spiċċjat bla saqaf fuq rasi bir-riżultat li tlift jien min jien ukoll. Kont insejt li, bħala inġinir, kont nista’ nagħmel dak li kont nixtieq. Jien ġej minn familja ta’ inġiniera u meta ilħaqt inġinier, ħassejt li fl-aħħar sibt posti fil-familja tiegħi. Li ma jkollokx fejn toqgħod, tneżżek mill-identitajiet kollha tiegħek. Meta missejt il-qiegħ u ftakart dwar dak kollhu li rnexxili nikseb professjonalment, inħoss sens ta’ sodisfazzjon u jimbuttani sabiex inkompli naħdem ħalli nimxi ‘l quddiem.
I am a 37-year-old father who, for many years, worked as a salesperson and a farmer. My most dominant identity is that of a farmer, where I was proud of the produce I grew and sold. Working in the farming industry taught me how to care and be productive.
Jien missier ta’ 37 sena, li għal ħafna snin kont naħdem bħala negozjant u bidwi. Ix-xogħol tal-biedja joġgħobni ħafna. Minn dejjem kont kburi bil-ħaxix u l-frott li kont inkabbar u nbiegħ. Ix-xogħol fil-bidja għallimni kif nieħu ħsieb lil ta’ madwari u kif inkun produttiv.
I am 20 years old. I am a son. I am a brother. I am a social person. I enjoy watching and playing football. Most importantly, I am a father – my son means the world to me, and I will never forget the joy I felt the day he was born. When I became homeless, I was unemployed despite holding a private guard licence. It was my choice to seek shelter at the YMCA. My dreams for the next five years are to find employment and save enough money to purchase my own property.
Għandi 20 sena. Jien iben. Għandi ħuti. Jien persuna soċjevoli. Inħobb nara u nilgħab il-futbol. Pero’, l-aktar ħaġa importanti għalija hija li jien missier – ibni huwa id-dinja tiegħi u ma nista’ ninsa qatt il-ferħ li ħassejt dakinhar li twieled. Meta spiċċajt bla saqaf fuq rasi, ma kelliex xogħol, avolja kelli liċenzja sabiex inkun nista’ naħdem fis-settur tas-sigurta’. Kienet l-għażla tiegħi li infittex rifuġju għand il-YMCA Malta. Il-ħolma tiegħi hi li, fil-ħames snin li ġejjin, insib xogħol u nfaddal biżżejjed sabiex inkun nista’ nixtri post.
I left Sudan many years ago because it wasn’t safe to stay there and came to Malta, dreaming of a better future. I am 22 years of age. I miss my family a lot, especially my brothers. I enjoy sports, especially football and running. In the future, I wish to reunite with my family, have my own place to call home, study, and start a career in Information Technology.
Ħafna snin ilu tlaqt mis-Sudan għaliex kien perikoluż nibqa’ ngħix hemm u ġejt Malta b’ħolma li jkolli futur aħjar. Għandi 22 sena. Inħoss ħafna in-nuqqas tal-familja tiegħi, speċjalment ta’ ħuti. Inħobb ħafna l-isport, b’mod speċjali l-futbol u l-ġiri. Fil-futur nixtieq nerġa ningħaqad mall-familja tiegħi, ikolli dar tiegħi, nkompli nistudja u nibda’ karriera fit-teknoloġija informatika.
I am a 28-year-old footballer and asylum seeker. I work as a welder; however, even though I work, I became homeless a few months ago. Although I am happy at YMCA, I am working hard to save enough money to have my own apartment in the near future, provide for myself, and live independently. My biggest dream? I yearn for the day when I can see my family again. However, I know this is not possible for the time being. I am working hard to become the best version of myself and close this chapter in my life.
Jien ġejt Malta biex infittex ażilu. Għandi 28 sena u nilgħab il-futbol. Naħdem bħala welder, pero’, avolja għandi xogħol, ftit xhur ilu spiċċajt bla saqaf fuq rasi. Il-YMCA Malta laqawni w avolja kuntent f’Dar Niki Cassar, qed nagħmel l-għalmu tiegħi sabiex infaddal kemm niflaħ biex inkun nista’ inmur ngħix għal rasi. Taf x’inhi l-akbar ħolma tiegħi? Noħlom fil-jum li nkun nista’ nerġa’ ningħaqad mal-familja tiegħi ‘mma naf li għalissa dan mhux possibli li jseħħ. Qed naħdem bis-sħiħ sabiex nerġa nibni ħajti u nkun nista’ nagħlaq dan il-kapitlu ta’ ħajt u nimxi ‘l quddiem.
I am a hard-working father of 6. My family and I left our home country because living there was too dangerous. I am an asylum seeker in Malta; however, my children moved to the U.K. I work in construction, and I work long hours. However, I still find it extremely challenging to make ends meet at the end of the month. I became homeless when my landlord decided to double my rent overnight. I had to leave and had nowhere else to go as the rental prices were too expensive when compared to the wages. I look forward to the day when I am reunited with my family.
Jien missier ta’ 6 itfal u bniedem ħabrieki. Ħrabt minn pajjiżi flimkien ma’ familti minħabba li kien perikoluż wisq li nibqgħu ngħixu f’pajjiżna. Ġejt Malta sabiex infittex ażil, madanakollu, uliedi jgħixu fir-Renju Unit. Jien naħdem fil-kostruzzjoni – naħdem siegħat twal, pero’ xorta waħda nsiba diffiċli nlaħħaq mal-ispejjez. Spiċċajt bla dar meta sid il-kera ddeċieda li jirdoppja l-kera mil-lum għal għada. Kelli nitlaq għax ma stajtx inħallas aktar u ma sibtx nikri post ieħor għaliex meta tħares lejn il-paga li naqla’ fl-aħħar tax-xahar, u l-kirjiet li kienu qed jitolbuni, ma stajtx inħallas daqshekk.
I am a Macedonian farmer, and I have a family back home. I came to Malta with a promise of a better future; however, following a series of events I did not have control over, my life changed overnight, I became roofless, and in the process, I lost some of the most precious things in life. During this period, I had nothing to eat and was uncomfortable asking people for money, even to buy a bottle of water. I used to go to the beach in summer as a way to have a shower. It was a very dark and lonely period in my life. Here is where I found support from YMCA Malta, and despite all the issues I have experienced these past few years, I fell in love with Malta and the Maltese people. I wish to take up farming again. Being in the fields made me happy and accomplished and enabled me to provide for my two sons, whom I miss and love more than I love my own life. Someday I will be reunited with my sons, in our home, on our field – until then, I will do my best to rebuild my life.
Jien bidwi mill-Maċedonja u l-familja tiegħi għadha tgħix il-Maċedonja. Ġejt Malta għaliex wegħduni ħajja aħjar, pero’ ħajti inbiddlet ta’ taħt fuq għaliex inqbadt f’ċirkustanzi li ma kelliex kontroll fuqhom. Spiċċajt ngħix barra fit-triq, u tlift uħud mill-aktar affarijiet prezzjużi għalija. Ma kelliex x’niekol u lanqas flus biex nixtri flixkun ilma. Kont ninħasel fil-baħar. Kien wieħed mill-aktar perjodi kiefrin ta’ ħajti. Pero’ sibt appoġġ mil-YMCA Malta, u minkejja s-sitwazzjonijiet koroh li esperjenzajt f’dawn l-aħħar snin, inħobb lil Malta u lill-poplu Malti. Nixtieq nerġa’ nibda naħdem fil-biedja. Kienet l-hena tiegħi naħdem fl-għelieqi u fl-istess ħin kont inmantni lill-uliedi. Lit-tfal tiegħi nħobbhom aktar milli nħobb ħajti stess. Għandi fidi li xi darba għad nerġa’ ningħaqad ma’ uliedi, ġo darna, fl-għalqa tagħna – pero’, sakemm tasal dik il-ġurnata, qed naħdem bis-sħiħ sabiex nerġa’ nibdni ħajti.
If I had to use just an adjective to describe my relationship with my parents, I would use ‘complicated’. I never felt loved or cared for when I was a child. When my daughters were born, I promised myself that I would not repeat my parents’ mistakes, but at the same time, I never had a good parental figure. Thus, parenting did not come naturally to me. I am a hardworking mother of two beautiful girls – they are my everything. I am always there for them; however, I felt like a failed parent when we became homeless. I remember thinking that they deserved better and that it was my fault that we were in that situation. I was guilt-ridden and hopeless as I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. I didn’t want anyone to give me anything for free. As the expression goes, I wanted someone to teach me how to use a fishing rod, which is how YMCA Malta supported me. They showed me how to be a better parent. They helped me understand that I was not a failure, and through this process, I gained a lot of self-confidence and got to know myself better. I was homeless, but today, thanks to that chapter in my life, I can say that I am an excellent listener, I love supporting others, and I am a fantastic sister.
Li kieku kelli nuża’ aġġettiv biex niddiskrivi r-relazzjoni tiegħi mall-ġenituri, nuża l-kelma ‘ikkumplikata’. Qatt ma ħassejtni maħbuba jew li l-ġenituri tiegħi kienu jieħdu ħsiebi meta kont żgħira. Meta twieldu wliedi, wegħdt lili nnifsi li mhux se nirrepeti l-iżbalji tal-ġenituri tiegħi, pero’, fl-istess ħin, qatt ma kelli eżempju ta’ x’inhu ġenitur tajeb. Għaldaqstant, il-ħajja ta’ ġenitur kinitx faċli għalija. Jien omm ħabrieka ta’ żewġt ibniet – uliedi huma kollox għalija. Madanakollu, ħassejtni li fallejt bħala ġenitur meta tlifna l-post fejn konna qed ngħixu. Niftakarni ngħid lili nnifsi li uliedi ħaqqhom ħafna aħjar minn hekk u li kien it-tort tiegħi li konna spiċċajna f’din is-sitwazzjoni. Ma kelliex tama li s-sitwazzjoni ser titranġa, ma kien hemm l-ebda’ xaqq ta’ dawl. Ma ridt lil ħadd itini xejn b’xejn. Kif tgħid l-espressjoni, ridt lil xi ħadd jgħallimni nuża’ l-qasba u dan huwa fil-fatt kif għenuni l-YMCA Malta. Għallmuni kif inkun ġenitur aħjar u għenuni nifhem li ma kontx falliment. Dan il-proċess għeni sabiex inrabbi aktar kunfidenza fija nnifsi u sirt naf aktar jien min jien. Jien kont bla dar, imma llum, grazzi għal dan il-kapitlu ta’ ħajti, nista’ ngħid li naf nisma lil dak li jkun, inħobb ngħin lil ta’ madwari u jien ukoll oħt meraviljuża.
I am 21 years old. I came to Malta when I was still a child, as it was unsafe for me and my siblings to live in our home country any longer due to civil unrest. The journey to arrive in Malta was arduous and dangerous. We stopped in many countries along the way. At some point in our journey, we got separated; however, I managed to reconnect with my mother, and I love talking to her over the phone, but I still miss her, my father, brothers, and sister. When people look at me, I think they only think of me as an asylum seeker who came to Malta to have a ‘cushy’ life, but that is not the case. I have given up so much and worked hard to get where I am today. At the moment, I am homeless and living at Dar Niki Cassar; however, I know that this is only temporary accommodation until I get back on my feet. I know that I cannot live here forever, and I am not angry at this situation, but rather, I am thankful. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and have met so many wonderful people. Next year I wish to study a course in IT, and maybe in the future, I will get married, start a family and have a place of my own that I can call home and have a cat – I adore cats. I also dream of becoming a footballer because football brings people together, and I believe that that is my purpose in life, bringing people together.
Għandi 21 sena. Ġejt Malta meta kont għadni tifel żgħir għaliex ma stajniex nibqgħu ngħixu fil-pajjiż fejn twelidna jien u ħuti minħabba l-gwerra. Il-vjaġġ biex wasalna Malta kien wieħed iebes u perikoluż immens. Waqfna f’ħafna pajjiżi qabel ma wasalna Malta. Meta konna qed nivjaġġaw, f’punt minnhom infridt minn mal-familja pero’ irrnexxili nerġa’ nibda nikommunika ma’ ommi. Għalkemm inkellimha fuq it-telefon, xorta waħda nħoss n-nuqqas tagħha, ta’ missieri u ta’ ħuti. Meta n-nies iħarsu lejja, naħseb li ma jarawx għajr persuna li ġiet Malta sabiex tikseb ażilu sabiex ikollha ħajja faċli u komda, imma dan mhux il-każ. Tlift ħafna affarijiet li kienu importanti għalija u ħdimt bla serħan sabiex wasalt fejn wasalt illum il-ġurnata. Ftit żmien ilu spiċċajt bla dar u għalhekk qed ngħix f’Dar Niki Cassar, imma naf li nista’ ngħix f’din id-dar għal żmien qasir, sakemm nerġa’ nqum fuq saqajja. Naf li ma nistax ngħix hawn għal dejjem, pero’ miniex irrabjat, anzi, grat li sibt kenn. Grat li għandi saqaf fuq rasi u f’din id-dar iltqajt ma’ nies meraviljużi. Is-sena d-dieħla nixtieq nibda’ kors fl-inġenjerija informatika, u forsi fil-futur, niżżewweġ, nibda’ familja, jkolli d-dar tiegħi u jkolli qattus ukoll – il-qtates vera nħobbhom. Għandi wkoll ħolma li nsir futboler, għaliex il-futbol jgħaqqad lin-nies flimkien, u nemmen li dan huwa l-iskop ta’ ħajti, li ngħaqqad lin-nies.
I came to Malta for a better life, but I’m no fool. I knew the journey would be challenging, so I wasn’t surprised when I became homeless. Luckily, in Malta, there is assistance and support. I am 35 years old, and I have two girls living with my extended family in Nigeria. Leaving my children behind was the most difficult decision I had to make in my entire life. I work long hours as a room attendant in a hotel here in Malta, and at the end of the month, I send most of my paycheck back home so that my children can be taken care of and give them a better future. I am a strong woman and see the silver linings in being homeless and living at YMCA Malta. I learnt how to live with different people from all walks of life and work in a team with the other residents, and I learnt how to make difficult decisions for myself. I always push myself to be the best version of myself.
Ġejt Malta għaliex dejjem ħlomt li jkolli ħajja aħjar, pero’ jien bniedma realistika. Kont naf li kienet ser tkun sfida kbira u fil-fatt spiċċajt bla saqaf fuq rasi. Fortunatament, f’Malta hawn ħafna għajnuna. Għandi 35 sena u omm ta’ żewġt ibniet li jgħixu mal-familja tiegħi fin-Niġerja. Kienet waħda mill-aktar deċiżjonijiet diffiċli li qatt kelli nieħu li ninfired minn ma’ uliedi. Naħdem siegħat twal f’lukanda hawn Malta billi nnaddaf il-kmamar, u fl-aħħar tax-xhar nibgħat il-maġġoranza tal-paga lill-familja tiegħi fin-Niġerja sabiex inħallas għal bżonnijiet t’uliedi ħalli jkollhom futur aħjar. Jien mara soda, li kapaċi tara l-elementi pożittivi fl-esperjenza li qed ngħix. Tgħallimt ngħix ma’ nies differenti, li ġejjin minn kull parti tad-dinja. Flimkien mar-residenti l-oħra tgħallimna naħdmu bħala grupp wieħed u tgħallimt ukoll kif nieħu deċiżjonijiet li huma diffiċli. Ta’ kuljum ninbotta lili nnifsi sabiex inkun l-aħjar verżjoni tiegħi nnifsi.
My life was never mine to live. I always did what my parents told me to do, so it was tough for me to discover who I really am. Today, at 22, I am a survivor, an independent and persistent woman, who works hard, budgets her money carefully, and is a problem solver who faces her challenges with her head held high. I’m a good person, and I am a hustler, however, due to my upbringing, I became homeless. I am determined to start building my life one step at a time. I am proud of who I am becoming and enjoy being the person I am discovering. I have gone through so much and have accepted my past, but I want to move forward. Living in a shelter with so many different people I never met before is difficult. Actually, it isn’t easy. It is stressful and lonely, and at times, it is very hard to cope but I am hopeful and faithful that I will get back on my feet and be a better version of myself.
Jien qatt ma għext ħajti. Dejjem għamilt dak li qaluli l-ġenituri tiegħi, allura, kienet diffiċli għalija sabiex insir naf lili nnifsi – jien min jien. Illum għandi 22 sena, survivor, persuna indipendenti u persistenti, li taħdem bis-sħiħ, li tfaddal flusha, u persuna li ma tibżax taffaċja l-problemi tagħha. Jien persuna tajba ‘mma minħabba t-trobbija tiegħi, spiċċajt bla saqaf fuq rasi. Determinata li nibda nibni ħajti bil-mod il-mod, pass wara l-ieħor. Inħossni kburija bil-persuna li qed niskopri li jien. Għaddejt minn ħafna affarijiet f’ħajti u tgħallimt naċċetta l-passat tiegħi, imma rrid nimxi ‘l quddiem. Il-ħajja ġewwa x-xelter mhux faċli. Mhux faċli tgħix ma’ nies li ma tafhomx. Hija sitwazzjoni stressanti u nħossni waħdi, huwa diffiċli ħafna…imma nittama u għandi fidi li jirnexxili nerġa’ nqum fuq saqaja.
I am a naturalist, a spiritual person, an activist, a good cook and an art connoisseur. I trust myself and my intuition. I am a leader by nature. I believe that truth is fundamental, even if, at times, the process of telling the truth is painful. Spirituality is a very important part of my life. It has helped me find meaning, purpose, and a sense of connection to something greater than myself. When I first started exploring spirituality, I was at a low point in my life. I felt lost, disconnected, and alone. But as I began to delve deeper into spiritual practices, I started to feel more grounded, centred, peaceful and it has helped me to believe in myself. I became homeless at the age of 40. My new reality shocked me to my core. I was accepted at Dar Niki Cassar. My first few days at the shelter were not easy, to say the least. I had to share everything with everyone, and not all residents had good hygiene which was a bit problematic for me. Even though experiencing homelessness was one of the most traumatic events in my life, I consider the time spent at the shelter a positive experience. I shared my talents with the other residents and learnt new skills from them. I started appreciating the little things in life more, such as having a small space to store my belongings and a safe space where I could sleep and cook and enjoy music from different parts of the world. In the future, I want to be a mentor for those around me, help them become a better person, and support them not only through words but with my studies in herbalism.
Jien naturalista, persuna spiritwali, attivista, koka tajba u konnoisseur tal-arti. Jiena nemmen fija nnifsi u fl-intuwizzjoni tiegħi. Nemmen li l-verità hija fundamentali, anke jekk, xi drabi, il-proċess li tgħid il-verità jista’ ikun kemmxejn skomdu. L-ispiritwalità għandha rwol importanti ħafna f’ħajti. Għenitni nsib tifsira, skop, u sens ta’ appartenenza ma’ xi ħaġa akbar minni nnifsi. Bdejt nesplora l-ispiritwalità meta kont missejt il-qiegħ. Ħassejtni mitlufa u waħdi. Imma meta bdejt nesplora aktar il-prattiki spiritwali, bdejt inħossni iktar iffukata, sibt sens ta’ hena u għennitni nemmen fija nnifsi. Ta’ 40 sena spiċċajt bla saqaf fuq rasi. Din is-sitwazzjoni ixxukkjatni għall-aħħar. Ġejt aċċettata f’Dar Niki Cassar. L-ewwel ftit jiem tiegħi fix-xelter ma kinux faċli. Kelli naqsam kollox ma’ kulħadd, u mhux ir-residenti kollha kellhom iġene tajba li għalija kienet xi ftit problematika. Avolja l-esperjenza li sfajt bla saqaf fuq rasi kienet waħda mill-aktar trawmatiċi ta’ ħajti, iż-żmien li jien għamilt ngħix f’Dar Niki Cassar, inħares lejh bħala esperjenza pożittiva. Qsamt it-talenti tiegħi mar-residenti l-oħra u huma għallmuni ħiliet ġodda. Bdejt napprezza aktar l-affarijiet iz-żgħar fil-ħajja, bħal li jkolli spazju tiegħi fejn nerfa’ l-affarijiet tiegħi u spazju sigur fejn stajt norqod u nsajjar u napprezza mużika minn partijiet differenti tad-dinja. Fil-futur, irrid inkun mentor għal dawk ta’ madwari, ngħinhom ikunu persuna aħjar, u nappoġġjahom mhux biss bil-kliem iżda permezz tal-istudji tiegħi fil-herbalism.
I am a hard worker and a good cook. I volunteer with a local organisation, am a loving partner, and enjoy being up to date with local and international events, and above all, I am a dedicated father of six wonderful children. Due to various issues, my marriage failed a long time ago, and regrettably, at the moment, I do not have a strong family connection or support. I became homeless after serving a prison sentence. I had no one to turn to for support. I was anxious and hurt. I have many regrets in my life, especially when it comes to parenting. Although I tried my best, it was not always enough. I am working hard to rebuild my family and strengthen my relationships with my children. I want to start studying again, maybe start a course in first aid or fire safety. I need to find employment again to start rebuilding my life.
Jien ħaddiem bieżel u kok tajjeb. Nagħmel xogħol volontarju ma’ organizzazzjoni lokali, inħobb u ngħożż lis-sieħba tiegħi, u nżomm ruħi aġġornat ma’ avvenimenti lokali u internazzjonali. Fuq kollox, jien missier dedikat ta’ sitt itfal mill-isbaħ. Għal diversi raġunijiet, iż-żwieġ tiegħi ma rrnexxiex, u sfortunatament, bħalissa, m’għandix relazzjoni jew appoġġ mill-familja. Meta ħriġt mill-ħabs, ma kelliex fejn immur, kont spiċċjat bla saqaf fuq rasi. Ma kelli lil ħadd fuq min indur għall-għajnuna. Kont ansjuż u mweġġa’. Għandi ħafna dispjaċiri f’ħajti, speċjalment fejn jidħol ir-rwol tiegħi bħala ġenitur. Għalkemm ippruvajt nagħmel l-almu tiegħi, mhux dejjem kien biżżejjed. Qed naħdem bis-sħiħ sabiex nibni mill-ġdid il-familja tiegħi u nsaħħaħ ir-relazzjoni tiegħi ma’ uliedi. Nixtieq nerġa nibda nistudja, forsi nibda kors fl-ewwel għajnuna jew tat-tifi tan-nar. Pero’ l-ewwel u qabel kollox, irrid insib xogħol sabiex inkun nista nerġa nibdni ħajti.
I am 18. Although legally, I am an adult, I feel that I am still a child. I am enrolled in a hairdressing course, have a passion for music, enjoy playing volleyball, and have eight siblings. Some people see me as the typical problematic teenager who likes to challenge people and authority, squanders money, does not know how to cook, and does not know who they are. Even though I am still 18, I have gone through so much in my life that most 50-year-olds haven’t. I am homeless, which is challenging, especially when you are still a student without parental support. It is very challenging to manage life. Having said that, I am grateful to have such supportive friends in my life. They are always there for me when I need them, offering a listening ear and words of encouragement. It’s amazing to have people who truly care about my well-being and want to see me succeed. I hope to be just as supportive to them in return.
Għandi 18-il sena. Għalkemm legalment, jien adulta, inħoss li għadni tifla żgħira. Bħallissa qed nagħmel kors sabiex insir stilista tax-xagħar, għandi passjoni għall-mużika, nieħu gost nilgħab il-volleyball, u għandi tmien aħwa. Xi nies jarawni bħala adoloxxenti problematika li tieħu gost tisfida lil ħaddieħor u lill-awtorità, li tberbaq flusha, ma tafx isajjar, u ma tafx min hi. Għalkemm għad għandi 18-il sena, batejt ħafna f’ħajti tant li ħafna drabi naħseb li lanqas persuna li għanda 50 m’għaddiet min dak kollhu li għaddejt minnu jien. Bħalissa m’għandiex dar tiegħi. Hija sitwazzjoni iebsa, speċjalment meta tkun għadek student li m’għandux is-sapport tal-ġenituri. Il-ħajja hija iebsa. Madanakollu, jien grata li għandi ħbieb li jtuni l-appoġġ tagħhom. Meta jkolli bżonnhom, dejjem insib l-għajnuna tagħhom, dejjem lesti li jisimawni u jinkuraġġuni biex inkompli mixja ‘l quddiem. Hija xi ħaġa imprezzabbli li jkollok ħbieb li verament jimpurtahom mill-benesseri tiegħek u li jemmnu fik. Nittama li huma jaraw fija dak li jien nara fihom.
I lost my mother and grandmother a few years ago, and since I am the eldest of five siblings, I had to take on the role of a mother for them and helped my father to raise them. Not all of my siblings appreciated the sacrifices I had to make to support them. In fact, I used to be bullied by one of my sisters. I am a survivor of domestic violence. I was evicted from my house. I became homeless overnight, with no financial support, and had nowhere to store my belongings. I started working in the family business while living at Dar Niki Cassar, although sharing your living quarters with 30 other people is challenging. I dream of the day when I can work with horses as they are my passion.
Ftit taż-żmien ilu tlift lil ommi u lin-nanna tiegħi, u peress li jien l-kbira fost ħames aħwa, kelli nieħu r-rwol ta’ omm u ngħin lil missieri jrabbihom. Mhux ħuti kollha apprezzaw is-sagrifiċċji li kelli nagħmel biex inkun nista inrabbihom. Fil-fatt, kont inkun abbużata minn waħda minn ħuti. Jiena kont vittma ta’ vjolenza domestika. Ġejt imkeċċija mid-dar tiegħi u spiċċajt fit-triq mil-lejl għan-nhar mingħajr ma kelli lil ħadd min jgħini b’mod finanzjarju, u fejn nerfa’ l-affarijiet personali tiegħi. Bdejt naħdem fin-negozju tal-familja waqt li kont ngħix f’Dar Niki Cassar, pero din is-sitwazzjoni hija sfida kbira għalija għaliex m’huwiex faċli li taqsam kollox ma’ 30 persuna oħra. Iż-żwiemel huma l-aktar passjoni tiegħi u noħlom li xi darba nsib xogħol fis-settur ekwestri.
One of the saddest moments in my life was when I lost my house. It was a very traumatic experience, an experience which I would never wish anyone to go through. I am homeless, but homelessness is just a chapter in my life. I am a 62-year-old man, a person of faith, a father and a husband, an artist and a cook with 40 years of experience. I graduated from University with a degree in philosophy. I travelled a lot when I was younger. I visited so many countries and met amazing people. I know that I will overcome this situation and be able to reunite with my family, whom I miss so much. My faith keeps me strong, and today, I am sharing my story so that others can learn from it.
Jien raġel ta’ 62 sena, raġel ta’ fidi kbira, missier u raġel miżżewweġ, artist, u kok b’erbgħin sena esperjenza. Gradwajt mill-Universita’ b’Baċellerat fil-Filosofija. Meta kont żgħir vjaġġajt ħafna u ltqajt ma’ ħafna nies. Fiduċjuż li ħa jirnexxili nerġa inqum fuq saqajja u ningħaqad mall-familti. Il-fidi tiegħi ssaħħaħni u neq naqsam l-esperjenza tiegħi bil-għan li ngħin lill-ħaddieħor.
I used to play football. It taught me so much. It taught me how to work in a team and the importance of being healthy and taking care of myself. Football is not just a sport; it’s a way of life. It taught me to never give up and always strive for greatness. I was employed until a few months ago, but I had a horrible accident for which I am still in rehabilitation. As a result, I cannot work as I can barely walk. Since I had to stop working, I became homeless and was accepted at YMCA Malta. At 35 years old, I became homeless, but I am a person, a son, a brother!
Kont nilgħab il-futbol u tgħallimt ħafna minn dan l-isport. Tgħallimt naħdem fi grupp, u tgħallimt l-importanza li tieħu ħsieb saħħtek u tiegħek nnifsek. Għallimni wkoll biex qatt ma naqta’ qalbi u biex nimbotta lili nnifsi biex nimxi aktar ‘il quddiem. Il-futball m’huwiex biss sport imma huwa stil ta’ ħajja. Ftit xhur ilu kelli inċident ikrah fuq il-post tax-xogħol u minħabba dan l-inċident ma nistax nimxi, tlift xogħoli u ma nistax nerġa nsib xogħol ieħor minħabba l-limitazzjonijiet ġodda ta’ saħħti. Minħabba f’hekk, wasalt f’sitwazzjoni fejn ma stajtx inħallas il-kera u spiċċajt bla dar imma ġejt ngħix għand il-YMCA Malta. Għandi 35, m’għandiex saqaf fuq rasi ‘mma jien bniedem, iben, u ħu.
Even though I am still 18, I have lived in many countries, such as Spain, England and now Malta. I enjoy participating in sports, primarily cycling and football. I also love animals, especially horses. I used to work in a restaurant, where I fell in love with cooking and experimenting with different flavours. Lately, I’ve been thinking about pursuing a career as a chef. I love the idea of creating new dishes and seeing people enjoy them. However, I know becoming a chef isn’t easy and requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but I do not have the resources to undertake this course. I am presently homeless, but I am a hard-working person, and I dream of the day I become independent, having a place of my own, having my own family and opening a restaurant.
Għad għandi 18-il sena ‘mma għex f’ħafna pajjiżi bħal Spanja, l-Ingilterra u ‘ssa f’Malta. Inħobb nipprattika l-isport, speċjalment iċ-ċikliżmu u l-futbol. Iħobb ukoll l-annimali speċjalment iż-żwiemel. Għamilt żmien naħdem fi stabbiliment tal-ikel fejn tgħallimt insajjar u nesperimenta b’ingredjenti differenti. Nixtieq insir kok għaliex l-idea li tikrea ikel u riċetti differenti taffaxxinani. Naf li mhux ser tkun xi ħaġa faċli, trid ħafna dedikazzjoni u xogħol, pero’ m’għandiex ir-riżorti neċessarji sabiex nagħmel dan il-kors. Bħalissa jien persuna homeless, persuna bieżla u noħlom li xi darba nkun qed ngħix f’dari, nibni familja u niftaħ stabiliment tal-ikel.
I am a 26-year-old mother and a fighter! I am no longer homeless nowadays. I live on my own together with my children. Looking back to when I was homeless, I felt alone and sad, not knowing where I belonged and living in a shelter that never felt like home. I am a fighter in many aspects of my life. Becoming a mother has made me stronger. I became determined to provide my children with a better future than the one I had. Becoming a mother was a blessing as I immediately felt the responsibility to fight, not only for my life but also for my children’s life. I want people to see me as a fighter. I am not the homeless person I was.
Jiena omm ta’ 26 sena u, kif jgħidu bl-Ingliż, jien fighter f’ħafna aspetti tal-ħajja tiegħi. Ftit taż-żmien ilu kont bla saqaf fuq rasi pero’ illum il-ġurnata ngħix ma’ uliedi. Meta niftakar fiż-żmien li fih kont bla saqaf fuq rasi u kont ngħix ġo home, nirrealizza kemm kont inħossni waħdi u mdejjqa għaliex ħassejtni li tlift posti fid-dinja u meta kont ngħix ix-xelter, qatt ma ħassejtni d-dar, qatt ma hassejtu id-dar tiegħi. L-esperjenza ta’ meta sirt omm għenitni aktar b’saħħti u aktar soda. Kont determinata li lill-uliedi nipprovdilhom futur aħjar milli kelli jien. Kienet barka li sirt omm għax mill-mument li sirt omm, ħassejt ir-responsabilta’ li mhux biss niġġieled għall-ħajti ‘żda ukoll għall-ħajja t’uliedi. Irid li n-nies jarawni bħala fighter. Il-persuna li jien illum mhiex l-istess persuna li kont meta spiċċajt ngħix fit-triq u jien kburija b’dan.