Finding Family and Hope on the Streets of Sofia

“The hardest part of being homeless isn’t the hunger, it’s being ignored, as if you don’t exist. It’s hard to even feel human,” says Alexander, 42, who has lived on the streets of Sofia for eight years.

After the death of his father, Alexander’s relationships with his mother and brother broke down, forcing him to leave home. Soon after, a tragic accident took his mother’s life, leaving him deeply shaken. Struggling to cope, he turned to alcohol and fell in with the wrong crowd. A violent attack soon followed, leaving him beaten and burned, and his life on the streets became a harsh reality.

“I never thought I’d end up homeless,” Alexander reflects. “One moment you have a family, a home, a sense of security. The next, you have none of those things. It’s hard to accept that you have nowhere to go and have to sleep on a bench. If no one reaches out, you sink deeper with each passing day.”

For Alexander, every day is a struggle for shelter, food, and safety which are things most of us take for granted. Accessing medical care is almost impossible, and winters in Sofia can be deadly, with temperatures dropping to -20°C (-4°F). Alexander suffers from constant colds, respiratory problems, and foot pain, and fears being threatened, chased away, or having his belongings stolen.

“Sadly, hundreds of homeless people sleep on the streets and underpasses of Sofia,” says Hristinka Tsvetkova, coordinator of Street Mercy in Sofia.

“Hot soup and the gospel might seem like simple things, but for people living on the streets, they can be life changing,” says Hristinka.

For Alexander, the change wasn’t just about food, it was about being seen and valued.

“Life on the streets is a difficult ordeal, but things change when people don’t pass you by,” he says. “For the first time in years, someone asked my name and actually listened. They didn’t judge me by what I was wearing; they saw me as a person.”

Now, Alexander spends time with the Street Mercy team every day. Volunteers encourage him to recover his lost documents, access healthcare, and explore temporary shelter. He dreams of having a safe room, clean bedding, and the small comforts of a stable life once again.

Hristinka adds, “Anyone can make a positive impact on someone’s life, it doesn’t take much. Sometimes a smile, a warm meal, or a friendly chat is the most valuable gift for someone on the fringes of society. Alexander’s story is one of thousands we encounter, but it proves that change begins with a small action. We may not solve all his problems, but we provide a foundation for a fresh start.”

Alexander reflects on the support he has received: “I’m still healing from my past, but now I have another family which is the amazing Mission team. I don’t know why my life got stuck here, but I am truly grateful that God brought me to Hristinka and the team. Even when all seemed lost, Street Mercy reminded me there is hope. Today, I have food, someone to talk to, and someone who cares. That is enough to keep me going.”