Guzalina will not shower – must wash themselves with cloth and bucket to the bathroom – NRK

– When we moved here, we thought this might be fine in a few weeks. Now it’s gone almost three years, says project leader Sebastian Schwalbach at City Mission.

Although part left Bergen center then it is considered as the worst in summer, the influx of homeless and beggars in the city center so great that emergency room in Kong Oscars gate is near to meet the need.

– We are not asking for luxury

Daily get 30 of them control over head here, but a great many are rejected in the door when bed spaces in the old driving school premises are filled up for the evening.

those selected must share the narrow toilets, where they also have to do all your body wash with cloth and bucket. Shower are not on the premises. Much less a washing machine.

The clothes are washed by hand and dried on racks outside the restrooms.

– We are not asking for luxury, but we need bigger and better premises, preferably down town. Some simple showers and increased toilet capacity had made the situation much better, says Schwalbach.

BER fOR HELP: Sebastian Schwalbach in the Church City Mission is distraught over the situation.

Photo: Even Norheim Johansen / NRK

are glad to have a roof over your head

Romanian beggar Guzalina is one of the regulars at the reception. She hopes for better relations with the times, but stresses that she is happy that she offered.

– I really appreciate the offer exists, but it’s hard to just get washed themselves with cloth on the toilet each today, she says.

the Church City Mission has asked Bergen municipality for help to find new and more suitable premises in the city center. But such premises do not grow on trees.

WILL HA mEETING: Social Commissioner Erlend Horn (V) for Bymisjon with a meeting on the situation shortly.

Photo: Sølve Rydland / NRK

– How is difficult to obtain. Especially in the city center. The municipality does not have as much of it, says social councils Erlend Horn (V) to NRK.

Commissioner promises dialogue

The current city council, where the Labour Party is the dominant party platform calls in its political platform that satisfactory sanitation for the homeless and beggars are a priority.

– not having access to shower or have opportunities to wash their clothes, think we are unworthy. Therefore, I would very much like to get to a meeting with the Church City Mission as soon as possible to discuss the situation, says Horn.