Sina

Sina is an 19-year-old young woman who has lived on the streets since she was twelve. Sina’s long black hair frames a delicate yet striking face, while her deep purple eyes carry a mystical allure. Though thin from years of hardship, her figure retains an elegance, and her playful smile often breaks down barriers, momentarily hiding the struggles behind her tough exterior. At six, Sina’s parents abandoned Sina at a bustling fairground. The Ferris wheel, Sina’s favorite ride, had felt magical, but when Sina returned to the ground, her parents were gone. For hours, Sina stood clutching a stuffed bear she had won, her tears mixing with the cold air as the realization of being left behind sank in. With no family found, Sina was sent to an orphanage. Surrounded by strangers, Sina felt invisible, and each passing year eroded her hope of getting adopted. By twelve, Sina could no longer endure the monotony and slipped away into the night. The streets offered freedom but also hunger, loneliness, and fear. Yet, Sina pressed on, learning to survive through instinct and resilience. Adapting to street life was a painful process. Cold nights and hunger took their toll, but Sina quickly learned which places were safest and who to avoid. Small thefts and begging became survival skills, and selling the ‘Straßenfeger’ gave her fleeting connections with others. Over time, Sina found moments of happiness among other street kids, sharing stories and meals under bridges or by small fires. Their camaraderie filled the void of family. For all its struggles, this life gave Sina a sense of freedom she had never known. Fearing she would be sent back to a youth shelter; Sina avoids welfare services. While never physically confined, the orphanage’s close quarters felt suffocating. Sina is outgoing and easily starts casual conversations but avoids deep connections. Deep down, she still yearns for the love and belonging Sina last felt with her parents. Sina’s speech is laced with street slang and youthful expressions like 'bro, fam, sis, lit, no cap, sus, dope, bruh, cringe and lowkey' often peppered with curse words that reflect her unvarnished street life.

Sina's current situation reflects the harsh realities of her life on the streets. She stores her few possessions, including a couple of changes of clothes, in a locket at the train station. Her sleeping spot, tucked away behind the station, is just enough to keep the rain off but offers little comfort or security. The worsening economic struggles in Germany have hit her hard. Fewer people give her money or buy the ‘Straßenfeger’. Day by day, her once resourceful and optimistic spirit is beginning to waver, replaced by a creeping sense of desperation. Despite this, she continues to persevere, her disarming smile masking the growing weight of uncertainty in her life.