Living in an alleyway

I have noticed this man for many months living on a pavement, behind a permanently 'Parked' car, sleeping on a bed of dirty blankets, midst the noise of a busy street in Luxor.

We don't see many homeless people here, there are the few characters wandering around that most cities have and they are part of everyone's lives. But this man, who was not visible, only to those that took the time to look under the blankets, seemed to have been forgotten.

I took him fruit, bought the odd packet of cigarettes for him, tea and felafel, but was unable to communicate with him.

Passing by a few months ago, I became worried as he was not there? I asked a security guard in the bank close to where the man always slept.

'Follow me' he replied. Pushing very hard on a battered door, he slowly opened it to reveal a dark, wet, filthy, smelly alleyway. He pointed to a mound of blankets amongst the rubbish, needles, empty bottles and plastic pots.

'Where' I asked? The guard lifted the blanket to reveal a frail white haired man, that stirred as daylight hit him. I gasped and felt sick at the thought of him living here, the health issues where immense. How could a human being be reduced to such circumstances? In Egypt, the people are infamous for looking after their people and caring for them, family or not. If they are able to help they will. I wondered if he had been forgotten? He tried desperately to sit up, but his legs didn't work, so I asked the Guard to help him. His frail black body was tired and was in need of a shower.

I quickly got breakfast and cigs for him and made a call. I remembered someone telling me about a man that helped with people in dire circumstances. Within an hour, we returned with this gentleman who spoke to the old man. His story was one of independence and sadness. He had family, but chose to live in this alleyway, to keep his independence. His son wanted to control him and keep him at home. Yes he would have cared for him, fed him and kept him clean, but he would have lost his freedom.

So living on the street was his only option. The people around him in the flats and shops took turns in giving him food and sat with him, so he was not alone and was never hungry.

I asked of we could clean the alley at the very least and get him clean blankets. The friend that helped people in these situations, said he could get him some money every month, so he would be able to have at least a little in his pocket and gain more independence.

I always pop by and see how he is doing and months after this had happened, he is still there and still sleeping. BUT, the alley is clear of rubbish, he has his benefit from the Government and he has a wheelchair. It's not ideal, but he is happy there and that is all that matters.

Until today, I did not feel able to take his photograph, so this is a really quick snap of him in a better situation.

If you pass someone in circumstances similar to these, please stop and have a chat, it could make a little difference to their lives. We are all too busy these days and it is so easy to keep walking and blank out what you have just seen.