After hearing about a homeless woman applying makeup on the roadside, Kristy Phillips decided to reach out and see if she could help in some way.
Table View, Cape Town – A Cape Town-based nail artist was alerted to a homeless woman in her area after a friend had seen the woman applying makeup on the roadside. Curious, she went to see the woman and get her story.
Kristy Phillips first heard of Morag from her friend Yolanda Nieman. Yolanda had seen Morag sitting on the roadside applying makeup. She sent a photo to Kristy who immediately sought Morag out. She went to see her, taking her for a meal to get her story.
After talking for some time, Kristy learned that the only reason Morag was on the streets was due to some hard times and tough luck. Morag and her partner Andre had been living in a house share with another woman. The woman started to use drugs, and they all lost the roof over their head.
Morag and Andre have been together for 19-years, and a few years ago, Andre was in a terrible car accident which left him unable to work as a tradesman. The hard times kept rolling as the couple had to keep moving from place to place as their money dried up. After being kicked to the streets, they lost all their possessions.
“The most wonderful lady. She has an honours degree in fine arts from Rhodes University. Is extremely well spoken… due to her husband’s car accident and inability to walk with a back problem (he too is such a wonderful man and so well-spoken and polite). She makes functional puzzles for children as a way to make money”
Despite being on the streets, Morag has refused to let her appearance slide and has maintained her dignity by applying makeup each morning.
Morag is an artist by trade having an honours degree in fine arts from Rhodes University. They have been getting by because Morag makes little puzzles for children out of wire.
Kristy was deeply moved by the story and shared it on Facebook in the hopes that people could help her. They have arranged for a small makeover for Morag, and a friend has offered to do both their cv’s in the hopes to help them get back on their feet.
Since it was posted, people have pooled money together to take Morag shopping for new underwear, new makeup and other essentials. They are also planning to get Andre to Somerset West where he can get his back treated. He is apprehensive because he doesn’t want to spend weeks in the hospital and leave Morag alone on the streets where she is in danger on her own.
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Kristy is working hard with a group of woman to find a happy solution that sees Morag off the streets and Andre getting the medical care he needs.
She plans to meet up with them again on Friday and Saturday to go shopping and discuss their future. What started out as a way to help restore a little dignity, might become a life-changing encounter for both women.
If anyone would like to get involved in helping the couple, they can contact Kristy via Facebook here.
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