Since 2012, in collaboration with the association “Little Brothers of the Poor”, I have been working hard with men and women who have lived in the streets for a very long time and who are being sheltered in run down hotels.
All the people I have followed are over fifty years old. Most were rejected by their families. Many are tired, sick, depressed, need health care or are chemically dependent. Many have a sense of guilt and of being responsible for their exclusion. Many of them have serious problems with alcohol dependency. All live on welfare.
Having a roof, even if it’s a slum, is important to them. All told me about the desire to settle down , to have an address, a roof, in short, to exist and to be recognized despite their poverty.
It took me a lot of time, attentiveness and proximity to gain their trust. Did I grasp the essential? It takes a lot more than just photos to make those fragile people no longer carry the burden of prejudices that give them over to the indifference of all.
J.L Courtinat
