“Collapsing against the cold hard surface, numb of feeling and stripped of dignity. Nothing is left for me no money no home no friends or family this is my life, the street life. If you cared to notice this is my corner block, where I try to make a dollar, it might not look like much but it’s how I earn my living. There are others like me living this life called “homelessness” we all have our own stories to tell. Some from broken homes that have been abused physically and emotionally others were kicked out and lost their jobs. I used to have a home it wasn’t safe and I didn’t feel loved or protected but it was my home. I used to wake up to mum and dad’s screams they always argue and sometimes dad came home drunk and he used to abuse both mum and me. I don’t remember when dad left but I do remember when mum came home with a new man. It was hell. He used to rape me regularly and abused my younger sister as well. I was only 12. Life sucked, I hated coming home and usually stayed out till late that’s when one of my friends provided me with drugs they asked me “to try this it would make you feel better”, and it did. I suffered through this torment for a bout a year, when I turned 13 I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to make a decision and take control of my life I gave mum a choice I told her “to get rid of the guy, either he goes or I go!” Mum chose him and I landed on the streets. I didn’t know where to go, at first I stayed with friends and then slept around with guys from the neighbourhood to keep a roof over my head. Eventually I had to leave the suburbs for the city streets. Sleeping in abandoned houses and buildings, I lived on the streets with other young people who were like me. Know I’m here alone a struggling survivor, I know that most of you may look at me and think that I am lazy, dangerous and dirty but I am sure that if you took the time to know my story you wouldn’t be so quick to judge. It wasn’t a choice of mine to be on the streets it just happened and the truth is I never thought it would happen to me.” Sometimes we are blinded by the truth and as a designer and visual communicator I wish to assist in the understanding of the issue, there are “many reasons why people become homeless” and I am saddened to discover that this matter has been overlooked. My approach is to bring public awareness to society through my photography, typography and my graphic design skills. The girl I was writing about was my inspiration for the poster design and it is through story telling that I wish to instigate change. Everyone should have equal rights, one should not feel superior or greater then another. Be thankful, humble and learn to give and share what others are less fortunate to have.