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Meet Jiri: A Czech Man's Resilience in Hamburg's Streets

From Czechoslovakia to Hamburg, Jiri's journey is one of resilience. Despite his struggles, he maintains dignity, selling a magazine that supports the homeless.

The picture is taken on the street of a city. In the center of the picture there are shops, tents,...
The picture is taken on the street of a city. In the center of the picture there are shops, tents, umbrellas, auto rickshaw, motor bike, people and many other objects. In the background there are buildings. In the foreground there are waste papers on the road.

Meet Jiri: A Czech Man's Resilience in Hamburg's Streets

Jiri, a 58-year-old Czech man, has been residing on the streets of Hamburg for some time. He earns a meagre living by selling copies of Hinz&Kunzt, a local street magazine, outside Edeka on Gasstraße. Born in Teplice, Czech Republic, Jiri's life has taken a series of turns that led him to his current living spaces.

Jiri was born in 1967 and is the eldest of three brothers. He attended school and trained as a mechanic. However, he later turned to a life of crime, working at a metalworking plant in Prague for a few years before his incarceration. Jiri spent many years behind bars, serving time in a Prague prison for his crimes under the real-socialist Czechoslovak regime. His life changed in 1989 with the fall of the regime and the subsequent democratic government's amnesty for many prisoners, including Jiri.

After his release, Jiri found himself in Hamburg, where he has been living on the streets. He sells Hinz&Kunzt, a magazine that supports homeless people and social projects, to make ends meet. Despite his circumstances, Jiri remains resilient, facing each day with determination.

Jiri's life is a testament to resilience and survival. From his early life in Czechoslovakia to his current living spaces in Hamburg, he has faced numerous challenges. Yet, he continues to strive, selling Hinz&Kunzt and maintaining his dignity. His story serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by many homeless individuals and the importance of supporting initiatives like Hinz&Kunzt.

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