Cathy Achilles
Cape Town - I never knew that privacy was a luxury until I became homeless.
I have lived in the shelter system for two years. Moving into my own apartment at the beginning of the year felt surreal. I could not believe that the season of homelessness had ended.
Living in the shelters, I had a tug- of-war between knowing why there were rules but also yearning for freedom.
Our morning would start with a bell that would ring at 5.30am. We had less than 10 minutes to get dressed and brush our teeth, then the bell would ring again as a sign that we had to go to the dining hall for breakfast.
Breakfast was always a rush because the staff would wait for me to take my medication.
Coming back tired from work, I was surrounded by about 40 residents in the shelter.
As an introvert, I wanted to be on my own. After supper, if it was my turn, I had duties to do. It could be cleaning the ladies’ dorm or the bathroom.
Depending on the day, I had to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, even though I have never used drugs or alcohol.
After I had showered, I felt that I had a few minutes left before the lights went off at 10pm. If somebody left dirty dishes or mugs in the dining room, lights off was at 8pm.
Load shedding reminds me of shelter life, with the electricity supply out of my control.
Even if I did not work on a weekend I still had to wake up early for breakfast. I had to find privacy in public places, in the busy Cape Town CBD, sitting in St Georges Mall or the Company Gardens.
There were times when the ladies’ dorm was a war zone of ladies fighting.
While living in the shelter, I dreamt that one day I would live in an apartment again, where I would be able to read books while sitting on a couch, with a mug of coffee next to me.
In the shelter there were no couches, I had to read on my bunk bed or at the dining room table, which was very uncomfortable.
The day I moved into my own studio apartment, for the first time in two years I had a peaceful night’s rest. I could leave my cellphone next to my bed without worrying that somebody would steal it, which happened in the shelter.
There was no rush in the morning, I could wake up and get ready at my own pace. There was no more fighting for the showers. It was a joy to cook my own food. One evening I fell asleep while the light was still on. When I woke up, I felt like I was back at the shelter and had to switch off the light.
I had to remind myself that I was now in my own place and could stay up as late as I chose.
I enjoy reading my books on the couch with my coffee, with music playing in the background. This year, I am looking forward to Christmas. I am able to cook my own food. While I was homeless, I was grateful for the gifts the public gave us in the shelter.
Christmas in the shelter was celebrated on Christmas Eve with supper.
On Christmas Day, everyone had to look after themselves. Last Christmas after church, I went to a mall and bought myself rolls, hot chips, a piece of chicken, and something sweet.
I believe that for the rest of my life, I will remember what I ate on Christmas Day in 2021.
My journey out of homelessness was assisted by a local NGO, U-turn Homeless Ministries. They have a phased approach to tackling homelessness that includes graded accommodation.
They advocate for safe spaces rather than sleeping rough on the street.
They refer into shelters people enrolled in rehab and actively overcoming addiction.
U-turn have transitional houses for those sober and in work-readiness training, and finally, social housing for graduates.
Staying in a transitional house was not an option for me, at the time, because of the shortage of bed spaces.
Suitable, graded accommodation is a huge need in successful recovery and U-turn is raising much-needed money to open more safe spaces and transitional houses, which will get more people off the streets and equipped with the skills to live a productive and independent life.
If you would like to support the creation of more decent accommodation, visit homeless.org.za and help.
This year, I am going to have a small Christmas tree in my apartment to remind me of my childhood with my late mum and grandparents.
Even though I will miss them, I will celebrate their legacy with the Christmas food and sweets I will be making.
For the first time in two years, I will be able to wake up when I want to and to celebrate Christmas in peace.
Achilles is the online media co-ordinator and spokesperson for U-turn
Cape Times
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.