2013-2014 POLAND: CHUDOBCZYCE, POZNAN; THE NETHERLANDS: AMSTERDAM, UTRECHT Nothing about returning is ever only black or white. Coming back, people follow their own, tortuous and harrowing paths. Vague and bitter-tasting those returns truly are; one false move, one misguided choice... and there you are, on detox again, confined to residential treatment, in a cell you have been in once before, counting the days until the end of your stretch and dreaming about freedom. Coming back may be cheap, you own nothing and no one awaits you. You look for fare in the ecological gourmet all-you-can-eats of sorted garbage, sleep in the cheapest hostel of the world, in a globalised city, with international companions at your side. Coming back has its price, you pay the fee for the path you tread, for the stigma of cosmopolitan homelessness. You return because you hanker after and yearn for life, freedom and the right to dignity that is never respected. The photographs were taken in places where the marginalised build communities; governed by fixed rules such as ban on alcohol, drugs, joint work for the community and reintegration, they strive to come back to the “normal life” they dream of. Some were made abroad... (read more)

New Year’s Eve at the community in Chudobczyce. The community is found in Western Poland, in a village with 40% unemployment. The community’s members renovated two residential blocks of the former state farm, the historical residence of the erstwhile estate owner, built a cafeteria, a boiler room and a community hall. In total, the community has 460 hectares if fields, meadows and forest at their disposal. At present, Chudobczyce is home to some 70 people (chiefly migrants from the Netherlands, UK and Ireland, whose emigration proved unsuccessful).

Hirek, aboard a train from Amsterdam to Utrecht. Hirek was a homeless in Dublin, now helps homeless Poles abroad as a Leader. He also runs a dog shelter in Posadówek (Poland).

People await the Easter breakfast to start at the Barka Foundation in Poznan (Poland). Some 1,000 eggs were cooked for the occasion, as well as 250 kilogrammes of bigos (sauerkraut and meat stew) and 150 litres of traditional sour soup (on rye flour base), not to mention 50 kilogrammes of herring that went on the table. Approximately 300 people took part in the breakfast.

Rafal aka The General preparing in Poznan’s shelter no.1 for a rehearsal to The Return of the Vikings - a performance by one of the first theatres of the homeless in Poland. Rafal has been a person without abode since the 1990s.

Tadziu has lived in the community since its beginnings, 16 years ago. Initially he would live in a tent, even in winter, and helped to rebuild the dilapidated 460-hectare farm. Currently he lends a hand in the farm and learns the trade of tailor.

Rafal “The General” working as a waiter during the Easter breakfast at the Barka Foundation for Mutual Help in Poznan (Poland).

Edi rests after hard work in the forest.

Mealtime in the apartment of Leaders in Utrecht. Barka Foundation for Mutual Help supports the work of some 60 leaders who, thanks to their life experience, are the best “therapists” and caretakers for those in need. They help the excluded Poles in the Netherlands, UK and Ireland.

Community’s sheep grazing in the morning.

Gonzo – member of the Chudobczyce community, where he came of his own will having served a 20-year sentence. He claims that he would be back behind bars within a year. Currently takes care of the sheep.