„From the urchin to employee”. By Piotr Nowak – a person reconnected by Barka UK from Lambeth
„From the urchin to employee”
The story of a migrant
By Piotr Nowak – a person reconnected by Barka UK from Lambeth
Morning – it’s the worst time of the day. Cold wakes me first and then how familiar flutter in my head, dry mouth and a “brush” in the throat. I look around and I see well-known people in sleeping bags, lying as close to the wall. It is raining again. Bottles are scattered around me, unfortunately all empty as my pockets. Then I heard for the first time, “Hey guys how are you today? We are from” Barka”. How can we help you? HELP? I thought immediately of filling the bottle next to me. If I cannot achieve this – I’m losing interest. So, coming back to Poland? For several years I have been in London. Finally, feel free. I do what I want to do. Food and clothing I have for free, and I will always find the money for drinking. I know English so when, I will be ready, I will find a job. This is my plan for a life, but not today. So I refuse. After my first meeting with the “Barka” I started seeing them more often. We met at the Day Centre at Waterloo. My initial reluctance turned to sympathy. Many times we talked about my drinking, that it’s time to do something about that awful wasting my life. I agreed with this and I wanted to make a difference but – tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, then someday. It was nice to talk about something serious, bring up memories of a previous life. Over and over I remembered this sentence” Hey guys how are you today? We are from” Barka”. How can we help you?”
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