25-26 May 2015 Ditsong Museum

Transcription

1 25-26 May 2015 Ditsong Museum

2 CHALLENGES AND SURVIVAL STRATEGIES AMONGST THE HOMELESS IN PRETORIA CENTRAL Miriam Tembe MSocSci Development Studies Student University of Pretoria Tshwane Homeless Summit, 25 May 2015

3 HUNGER/ACCESS TO FOOD Begging: the solicitation of food or money, this is a very common strategy used not only to access food but also other need such as clothing or employment. It s hard to find food when you live on the streets, I don t have house, I don t have fridge, I don t have money so I depend on people to give me food or put money in a cup, that s how I survive and because I have a child people always give me because of the baby they feel sorry for the baby so they give. I sit outside here [Spar] because sometimes people will go in and buy food for them and us Sharon*, Arcadia Miriam Tembe 25 May 2015 Tshwane Homeless Summit

4 HUNGER/ACCESS TO FOOD Outreach programs: A large number of homeless people rely on food supplied by outreach programs such as those organized by the Tshwane Leadership Foundation, Koffie Huis and other initiatives which provide food to the homeless on a regular basis.

5 HUNGER/ACCESS TO FOOD Killing appetite: the consumption of drugs has been used Barter/trade: by homeless a people system to of kill the exchanging appetite. goods or services without using a medium of exchange such as money. This strategy can take place in different ways, for instance the trading of Everyday cigarettes I don t for food. know Common if I m going amongst to find food women but on when the I streets smoke isnyaope the trading I don t offeel sexhungry, for food. it kills Bartering that hungry isn t only bug used and I tocan access go on food without butfood it is also Informant used toin gain Pretoria other goods CBD such as clothes or drugs. Miriam Tembe 25 May 2015 Tshwane Homeless Summit

6 HUNGER/ACCESS TO FOOD Hustling is a colloquial term used to define the activity of making money by any means possible. Be at parking cars, washing cars, helping fill taxis with passengers, collecting recyclable goods to sell or engage in criminal activity such as pick-pocketing or shop lifting.

7 HYGIENE AND SANITATION Shelters and drop-in centres: drop-in centres such as Night Church offer those sleeping on the streets facilities to shower and wash their clothes. Bathing in public spaces: Some homeless people bath in public spaces behind bushes or canals but mainly at night when they can t be seen by many people. Improvisation: the inability to tend to one s hygienic needs is a challenge to all that are homeless but a bigger challenge to women. When women can t access sanitary towels they have to find an alternative and have to use toilet paper or sheets of newspapers when needed. I feel dirty and I smell all the time, it s not nice feeling like this especially during that time. Sometimes I need to pee and I can t until I find a place that doesn t people. Anna*, Pretoria CBD Miriam Tembe 25 May 2015 Tshwane Homeless Summit

8 SAFETY AND SECURITY Shelters: Many homeless individuals depend on shelters for a place to sleep. Drop-in centres and hiding spots: some drop-in centres offer locker facilities to the homeless, giving them a place to store some of their belongings. Other homeless people find hiding spots such as rooftops to keep their bags if they need to go somewhere. Sleeping in well hidden areas: not being seen means you can t be harmed. Sleeping in pairs or groups: this way everyone has each others backs, this is very beneficial to women who are more vulnerable on the streets. Sleeping in well secured areas: the presence of security guards lowers one s chances of being victimized. We sleep here because there are guards, we are safe with them. No one can do anything to us. John*, outside the UNIC building.

9 THANK YOU CONTACT DETAILS Miriam Tembe address: