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Humans

Martinus – From Boss model to street living

I am told this man used to be a model now he lives on the streets. A new friend translated, as he bounced between English and Afrikaans.


Tell me your story?

I was a boss model. I was also a billboard model.

What happened?

With the destruction of the world, I still have my self-confidence.

Tell me about what happened, the destruction of your world? 

My parents asked me to show them I could live on my own and look after myself. This is when I was 16. They asked me to forget my age and to try to survive on my own.

Why did they ask that of you at 16?
I was soft spoken, they wanted me to harden up. I was told from the age of 5 that I would live on the streets if I couldn’t look after myself.

Were you modelling at 16?
Yes, I got confirmation I should be modelling at 16.

At what point did you realize you couldn’t make it on your own?
I have been on the streets since I was 16. I know where my parent lives. But I am too scared to go home. My parents are ashamed of me.

I like that you ask me what I used to be, it makes me feel like I used to be important. No one has ever asked me that.

Have your parents ever tried to help?
No, they don’t realize what has happened to me. I still have to make my life no matter my age. This is still a process, the same as when I was 16. Their responsibility ended with school.

I am scared to sleep at night. I don’t have blankets, I sleep on boxes.

Do you have a plan to better your life?
I don’t know how. I am a good person.

 

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