Who is Susana?
When Susana came up to my group and I to ask for money, I noticed something different in the atmosphere around that moment. We all know that e can’t help everyone that walks up to us in a city and sometimes we react in a not so nice way. I have waved off many homeless people but I really like the approach. I could tell that she is an educated person in a bad situation. It could happen to anyone.
There is one thing that stood out to me from all that she said.
“Me gusta mucho la musica. Bailar. Me gusta cantar mal. Me gusta el Karaoke. Porque si. Porque cantes como cantes, la gente te aplaude.”
I was struck by this position because it is true. No matter what you do, good or bad, if it comes from a genuine place, those around you who care will support. I want to take that from her. Again, this is exactly what this project is about. One of my friends said that I shouldn’t have asked about what she does for money but the thing is to me that I want a real account of life for some. Those in a better position should be more grateful. I wonder what I will learn from here on out. The world is made up of many different people.
“My name is Susana. Im 47 years old. I was born in Madrid. I studied law but I never really liked it. I did it because my dad was a lawyer and I made the mistake to follow him. Throughout my life, I worked a lot for my dream which was to start a business in hospitality. To open a restaurant for the deaf, blind, and incapacitated. It was a beautiful dream that I made a reality 5 years ago but it eventually went bad. I started it in Alicante but 5 months ago I returned to Madrid with debt. I found a room with no way to pay for it thinking that I would find a way to. So now, I find myself on the streets because of that. They closed the door on me so I have to beg to be able to sleep under a roof. Social services are saturated with people in not so good circumstances so I am on the waiting list. Until they can help me, I don’t have a place to live and without a place to live, I can’t find a proper job. I don’t have a space to call my own, to be, where I can put my things. It’s tough to work like that. First goal is a place to stay. A place to call my own.”
What do you do to earn money?
Well. I’m begging. I’m begging and the people are helping me. It’s hard because I never had to beg before and it makes me feel a little ashamed. It doesn’t make me feel safe doing it honestly. I don’t know, I’m getting a lot of help from people.
What do you do to enjoy life?
Well, lately I’ve not been having a very great time. I like music. I like to sing badly. I enjoy Karaoke because however you sing, the people clap for you.
What is one thing you think everyone should know? A piece of advice
Whenever you do something, whatever that is, do it with your heart because the things that come from the heart return. I know this from experience. Tested. Also, Don’t do anything to someone that you won’t like them to do to you.
And to conclude this profile
Susana is the first person in this project that is someone I didn’t know from before and being only the second interviewee, I can’t help but feel proud of myself. Even in her situation, she was all smiles and only happy to be in the spotlight for a moment. I can’t imagine what she goes through as a person in a big city with no home to call her own. I could tell that it is a tough place to be. If you liked this, share it with a friend. Look out for the next POTW profile next Sunday.