Homeless luggage porters of Bratislava are lifting themselves out of debt

A luggage porter carries bags in the main railway station in Bratislava, Slovakia. The Luggage Porters program run by the NGO Proti prúdu (Against the Stream) employs homeless people to carry passengers' luggage between the building and the platforms, free of charge. It helps Nota Bene vendors pay off their debts and work towards finding full-time employment.Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

A Nota bene vendor/luggage porter carries bags during his shift at the main railway station in Bratislava, Slovakia. The luggage porters program run by the NGO Proti prúdu (Against the Stream) employs homeless people to carry passengers' luggage between the building and the platforms, free of charge.The innovative project helps vendors pay off their debts and work towards finding full-time employment. Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

Formerly homeless Nota Bene vendor Jozef Šimeg carries people's bags in Bratislava's main train station. After six years, he is thrilled to finally have a part-time job thanks to the project run by Slovakian non-profit Proti prúdu (Against the Stream). He is pictured wearing the porters' summer uniform.Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

A Nota Bene luggage porter assists passengers in Bratislava's main train station. Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

These luggage porters were once unemployed and homeless. Now they are employed part-time to help people with their bags in Bratislava’s main train station.Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

At luggage porter works in Bratislava's main train station. Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

Formerly homeless Nota Bene vendor Jozef carries people's bags in Bratislava's main train station. Hi is one of six men to revive the role of the traditional baggage porter in Bratislava, Slovakia. Credit: Jana Čavojská

A Nota bene vendor/luggage porter helps a passenger with his bag in the main railway station in Bratislava, Slovakia. Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

Luggage porter Vlado poses for a photo in the main railway station in Bratislava, Slovakia. The Luggage Porters program run by the NGO Proti prúdu (Against the Stream) employs homeless people to carry passengers' luggage between the building and the platforms, free of charge. It helps Nota Bene vendors pay off their debts and work towards finding fulltime employment.Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

Sandra Tordová (L), Peter Kadlečík and Zuzana Pohánková (R) pose with luggage porters outside Bratislava's main train station. Their Luggage Porters project claimed the top prize for Best Non-Street Paper Project at the INSP Awards 2015 in Seattle this summer. Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

formerly homeless luggage porters now work at Bratislava's main train station Monday to Friday, from 9am-1pm. Credit: Proti prúdu

Formerly homeless luggage porter Jozef helps a passenger with her suitcase in Bratislava's main train station. Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

Proti prúdu staff and service users accept the second prize awards from SozialMarie, which celebrates social innovation. Credit: Vladimír Šimíček

Sandra Tordová (L) and Zuzana Pohánková (R) celebrate at the INSP Awards 2015 in Seattle, where their innovative Luggage Porters project claimed the top prize for Best Non-Street Paper Project. Credit: Cassin Stacey/INSP

Luggage porter Laco carries bags in the main railway station in Bratislava, Slovakia. The Luggage Porters program run by the NGO Proti prúdu (Against the Stream) employs homeless people to carry passengers' luggage between the building and the platforms, free of charge. It helps Nota Bene vendors pay off their debts and work towards finding full-time employment.Credit: Vladimír Šimíček