Valyo, 33: a smile after years on the street

The story

Valyo is 33, from Chelopechene. He has lived on the street for more than ten years. Still a schoolboy, he came home one day and learned his mother had died. He was left alone. As a kid he dreamed of running a bank – "but it didn't happen," he says with a smile.

In the morning his first thought is coffee and a cigarette. His last haircut was a year ago. If he could change one thing, he'd want to see his mother once more. What would he tell her? "I love you, Mum." Alexander takes off the long hair and shapes the beard. Then we bring him kebapcheta and kyufteta and leave him money for the days ahead.