“He was quite a figure. Served as commander at the Royal Castle. A wonderful man,” Mirek recalls.

Stanisław didn’t live to see better days. His dream of finally leaving behind the hell of homelessness never came true. He passed away in an abandoned building on Burakowska Street two days ago.

“When he asked for water instead of tea, I knew it was bad. By morning, he lay there, stiff and cold. And we, like the living dead, keep wandering on.”

***

“I want to change everything.”

“Where will you start?”

“I bought hair dye. That’s where I’ll begin.”

Kasia isn’t angry at the world. She’s furious with herself. She used to sell suits, post selfies on Facebook, men were attracted to her. When her boyfriend left, she fell in love with alcohol. Her new lover quickly turned out to be a monster, one that refuses to let her sober up. She ended up discarded, along with her past and dreams. Now she occasionally stays with her alcoholic father. But when he’s on a binge, she hides here, in an abandoned warehouse, with other broken souls.

“They drink too. But at least they don’t beat me.”

***

“Strangers will never hurt you like family can. I have a wife and kids, but they’ve moved on with their lives. I just don’t fit in anymore. They live just a few meters away, in a warm apartment.”
“What do you dream of?”
“I want to be there…”

Sławek’s voice trembles. Tears run down his face, etched with wrinkles and scars from a cruel life. He drinks because alcohol dulls the pain. Sobriety brings back the longing, the awareness of missed opportunities—burdens too heavy to bear today.

Homelessness isn’t a choice. It’s a yearning for love. A gaping hole filled with pain, helplessness, and alcohol. Broken human stories unfold in the shadows of shiny luxury buildings. Winter brings new worries.

***

“Last night it was freezing. The best part of my day is when the morning comes, and I’m still alive. I’d like to see my kids and grandkids. They don’t know where I am. If my mother saw me here, she’d have a heart attack.”
“Mr. Bogusław, we’re getting you out of here. Put down that beer and don’t open another. We’ll take you to rehab, get you cleaned up and warm, and then we’ll find your grandkids.”
“Yes, I’d like that. I dream of it. When are we going?”
“Tomorrow. At 1:00 PM. You have to be sober.”
“I will be. I promise.”

Bogusław has had many chances to accept help. He never did. But we’re holding him to his word. We’ll be back tomorrow.

Kasia, Sławek, and Bogusław each received warm sleeping bags, blankets, boots, hats, and gloves from us. We gave them a warm meal. We’re doing everything we can to make sure the cold doesn’t claim them overnight. We’re fighting for the time they need to keep their promises, to sober up, to one day find their children and grandchildren.