Interview with homeless gymnast

By: Ben Pettee

Samuel is a former professional gymnast and breakdancer, who has been homeless fo the last four years.

He is also a gospel singer, and avid community member. Samuel is known for his compassion and being a hard worker.

Q: Take me through an average day in the life of Samuel Molenso.

A: A regular day for me would be Waking up and thanking the lord, and just being grateful that god has given me the energy and strength to wake up another day. I am on the streets, so the first thing for me is waking up and trying to find something to eat.

These last four years in Obs, it has been a struggle in the beginning, but not so much anymore because I know most of the shop owners and restaurants.

They are always willing to help me because I never take anything for free, I always offer some work or something to do for them and they always let me.

From there I would maybe go to the library, check my emails. I try to keep myself busy and active at all times. Still trying to get myself back into gymnastics, scheduling a training hour or find a gym for the day. If not, finding something to do, like cleaning someone's garden or helping out somehow.

Late afternoons I would go to dinners at a soup kitchens or getting a meal somewhere. Like on Friday's there are movies at JP's, where they give out pop corn. JP's is a non profit organisation.

J.P basically started and ran that kitchen out of his own pocket, he did it out of his heart you could see because he did everything with love and passion.

Q: How do people you do not know treat you differently from people you do know when you are offering you services or asking for help?

A: I feel judged by a lot of people who don't know me. Even just trying to get something to eat, what we call hustling, just asking someone.

Everyday it's not going to be the same person that's going to help you. I get rejected by 80-90% of the people I ask. Some people are really mean about it. I had this one experience where this lady rejected me for a job.

I turned around heading towards the gate, the next moment her door opened and she shot boiling water all over my back. Of course, I also have experiences of people being loving and supportive. What you give is what you get. Heart and compassion are vital.

My dream is always to pass on my gift to the future generation, to mostly the unprivileged kids.

To kids whose parents don't have the money to help their kids express their talent or just be themselves. Hopefully one day I will be able to have my own center where I can teach life lessons.