There is hope on the streets, but it’s hard to find.
Romeo came to House of Opportunity through a former House resident, Alexander, whose brother is also in the programme. This demonstrates that young people who have benefitted from their time in Houses of Opportunity are very willing and able to connect our team with at-risk young people they know through their time in the care system or on the streets. Romeo came from the streets.
Romeo did not grow up in a social institution. He should have been an independent and stable young man. The reality, however, was very different. He grew up in a small town with a brother and two sisters, but their father was a violent alcoholic, and the family was poor. Romeo’s mother took the brunt of the physical abuse, but the boys were treated badly too and often went without food. Eventually, Romeo’s mother left the family, and as soon as he was 18, Romeo fled to Sofia. He had nothing in mind but getting away and trying to survive.
The city is not a forgiving place for young people without support. Romo had a lead on some heavy construction work, but no shelter and no support. And then the job came to nothing. Romeo was now a young man from the streets; without security, direction, or belief that he could change his life. Bearing the scars of his violent history. In debt to loan sharks.
Then one of the few connections Romeo still had, a former schoolmate called Alexander, put him in touch with the House of Opportunity team.
After joining our programme in March, the House of Opportunity team helped Romeo find work with a construction company we have partnered with for years. We did not have high expectations, but Romeo quickly proved himself to be serious and responsible. His employer began to rely on him, and Romeo himself shared that for the first time in years he felt his life could move in a different direction.
Last week Romeo proudly shared that he had repaid his debts to the loan sharks and to the friends he owed. He delightedly showed the team his first savings: €50! This may seem insignificant, but it means a great deal; a tangible sign that the new, stable, Romeo is establishing control and finding some real hope. Never before has he had even the smallest amount of money to call his own.
We always say that the House of Opportunity Programme can be summed up in three simple statements. Somewhere safe to stay. Good people to be with. Something useful to do. Perhaps no other story that we have shared shows quite how quickly a young life can be turned around through the provision of these three basic things.
There is something else though. Surrounded with peace, safety, and human care, Romeo has discovered something exciting; faith. So perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised at the rate of change. Today Romeo speaks openly about his faith in Christ and believes his life has meaning, that this is a new beginning. Now Romeo walks the streets of Sofia with confidence and hope.