Companion Stories: Mark

"I’d heard about Emmaus in Poland. I’d heard the name but then I heard about it here when I phoned Emmaus on behalf of a friend who was also homeless.

The whole idea of Emmaus, it’s mission statement, is wonderful but as everything man-made it is imperfect but we are trying to do our best. We are doing something positive, contributing.

I care a lot about Emmaus. You don’t have to do nothing in your life apart from dying and paying taxes. If you have an inquisitive mind it makes you want to get out and to do something and to understand things. You meet people in Emmaus and you would never have suspected that someone would have this or that experience in their life but then you talk to them and they’ve done so much more.

For me personally, I’m doing my driving license which I’m very glad about. I passed my driving test when I was in Poland but after the collapse of Communism everything was in such a mess that they couldn’t find any record of me having passed it. Once I’ve passed my test, I’m looking foward to driving the van and at least there’s always a parking space outside! I’m also doing a course at the local college - Spanish language. I’m very pleased about it. And I love reading and there are plenty of books in Emmaus!"

"Emmaus gives you responsibility and believes in you. I've been quite selfish in my life. There comes a time when you decide you've got to do something about it. I've stopped feeling sorry for myself."