Draussenseiter vendor Hans Baars: “I have to think positively, even though the world isn’t positive at all”

Hans Baars is 65 and has been homeless for almost a year. He remembers his childhood in Cologne-Sürth as “wonderful”. The problems only started when, as a young man, people tried to force him into fixed structures; when they kept putting obstacles in the way of the freedom-loving Cologne native with his many ideas. Today, he is a “homeless street newspaper vendor with a passion,” travelling around various weekly markets. Always with him are his belongings in a bicycle trailer – and a whole lot of optimism.

I live in Cologne and transport everything I own with my bike trailer. It has a tent in it, which I haven't used yet because the weather has been too bad so far. It has a large tarpaulin that you can hang between the trees to keep the rain out, and two camping mats that I sleep on. This is what my night camp usually looks like. I use two sleeping bags: one I lie in and the other I use as a blanket. It’s all in my bike trailer.

I also always have a lot of tools with me in case the trailer breaks down. My two pairs of baggy pants are also important. But my greatest treasure is my laptop, which I bought four years ago. Unfortunately, I can’t use it to access the Internet, and I don’t have a writing programme either, so there’s still room for improvement.

You always must think positively. This attitude carries me through life.

I was born in Cologne-Sürth in 1960, and after a short time in Weiß, we later moved back there. I also spent my youth there, which I remember fondly. For example, I remember my very first ride on a scooter – I must have been very small then – or my trips to the “Büdchen” (kiosk) in Veedel. My father always sent me to get beer. That was in the 60s, when it was still possible. I’d get water or sometimes also soda for my mother and two or three bottles of beer for my father. Whenever I arrived at the kiosk, they would ask me: “Young man, what kind of ice cream do you want?” And I would answer as modestly as possible: “Just a small milk ice cream, please.” I usually got a huge ice cream, which of course I never forgot.

There were so many wonderful experiences that I carry like a treasure inside of me.

Things changed when I started working in 1978. I always wanted to do something for people who were oppressed. At the time, there was a nursery on Kölner Straße where disabled people worked. When I was 17, I went there to help those who didn’t have it so easy. At first, they were worried that I was still too young to work there. But I prevailed. It has always made me angry to see that not everyone is treated equally.

I really enjoyed the job, and I also learned a lot about plants and gardening during that time. They would have liked to keep me on, but after a year and a half, I left the job because it was really getting to me. I then went to the Metro and earned good money there for a while. But when I moved to the City of Cologne’s green spaces department and they asked for my tax card, that’s when the misery began. My employer at the time, the Metro, wouldn’t hand over my tax card. There was a clause in the contract. So, there was no more secure work for a while.

At some point, I ended up on the ship that I then travelled on for 10 years. I waited tables, manned the cash registry, washed dishes, served people; it was stressful, but fun. I’ve never let anyone put me down in my life. You always find people to help you. And I always have new ideas about what I could do.

I’ve been homeless since May 2024. I used to work as a newspaper delivery person. They suddenly fired me. There was a big wave of redundancies at the same time anyway, but I don’t think they liked my attitude. I’m not the type to lick other people’s feet. And then there I was – without a job and without papers. At some point, the landlord wanted his money and then I was put out on the street. That happened frighteningly quickly.

Something good happened to me again recently. A man I know from the market in Rodenkirchen offered to store my things with him and said that in winter, I could set up camp on pallets on his farm overnight. That’s where I met Walter, who also finds shelter on the premises. He’s 73 years old and I feel a bit sorry for him. I always give him a bit of the money I earn from selling Draussenseiter. The other day, I bought him a small stove, but I told him he had to take care of the gas cartridges himself. They cost €‎3, which he should be able to find. It seems that he does. I really hope he gets a roof over his head.

You know, in times of need, one hand washes the other. Of course, I also give my host a hand when he needs help.

I’m a bit worried about the people selling the Querkopf, a street newspaper from Berlin that is sold in Cologne and is not backed by an institution or social project. I often get the impression that they give me a dirty look, maybe because they think I’m taking something away from them. But I don’t let them get me down, either. I also get a lot of support from the people in Sürth and Rodenkirchen, who have known me for many years.

Sometimes, I daydream and think about what it would be like if I had my own rickshaw. Of course, I know I’ll never be able to afford it. Unfortunately, the German government is totally against people buying anything via the Chinese platform Temu. It’s an extremely cheap store. What you buy there you can get for half the price and even cheaper. Anyway, if I could afford it, I would buy a rickshaw. Then I’d stand on Maternusplatz in Rodenkirchen and wait for people to drive around. I think that would cost me €‎350 euros once, which of course I don’t have. I should have done that back when I was still working. I regret it a bit; it’s one of those missed opportunities. But why not equip a rickshaw with Draussenseiter advertising and then offer a city tour? I would already know how to start; always put a bit of money aside in case the thing breaks down.

Currently, I’m always saving a bit by selling Draussenseiter. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to fulfill this dream. I always find ways to do something.

I’ve been receiving my pension since 2 February and I’ve been a bit better off since then. My biggest dream would of course be to have my own apartment. I'm meeting with the social worker at the OASE soon to fill out a certificate of eligibility for housing and apply for a Cologne Pass. I've already spread the word everywhere that I’m looking for an apartment.

But you know, no matter what, I would always sell Draussenseiter because I really value this job and don’t want to miss out on the nice contact with my customers. They always give me the feeling that I somehow belong.

Translated from German by Luginbuhl

Courtesy of Draussenseiter / INSP.ngo