Avron Carlson recycles to make a living. He lives in a makeshift shelter on a veld in Maitland, Cape Town.
What is your name, age and birthplace?
Avron Carlson. 16 January 1990. Kensington in Cape Town.
Can you tell me a bit about your life before you experienced homelessness and what a normal day looked like then?
I was always there by my mother. We used to work together. There by Paarden Eiland. We worked for R40/hour. We used to work night shifts. But it wasn't enough. You can't always live with your mother. There is a time when you must stand on your own. The situation I was in, my brother was heavy into the Tik. Then my mother's boyfriend said we can't live there anymore.
What led you to where you are now and were there particular moments that changed the direction of your life?
I started with this material, recycling but I don’t take other peoples stuff. I would rather die. I don’t take chances. At the moment I stay there in the bush. I want to come out of the bush. I just walk from here to there and don’t go far.
What do you wish people understood better about being homeless?
We are always there. We wake up but we don’t have our own houses, we don’t have our own beds. I just try work but my brother stole my ID so its difficult to find work. Sometimes I have some money to go buy some bread. Buy some stuff. If I can get my ID I can get some work. Get some money without stealing, that's not me.
What helps you get through difficult days and where do you find strength or support?
Jesus, Jesus is with me. I wake up and talk to him. Since I miss my mother I pray. I will always talk to him.
I miss my family and I miss money. You can't live without money. Those are the only two things I wish I have.
If you could change one thing about how society responds to homelessness, what would it be?
If they could just support to give work. People don’t come to me to say who are you, to know you. They don’t talk to you like they talk to other people. Maybe they think you just come here to steal. No one has ever come to me.
Where would you like to be now if you could?
I would be in my own place. I miss my family and I miss money. You can't live without money. Those are the only two things I wish I have.
