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This Homeless Man Is Found By His Family Who Thought He Had Been Dead For 10 Years After His Transformation Photos Go Viral
Interview With Author
Some people aren’t as lucky as others. Life treats them way worse and they end up at the bottom. Losing their home, family. Made to roam the streets hoping to find cans and other goods in order to survive and eat. That’s what happened to João Coelho Guimarães. He is 45 years old and has spent 3 of those years living in the streets without a roof over his head.
But his luck was about to change when barbershop employees offered to give him a haircut: “He came and we asked him if he was hungry and if he wanted something to eat. But he refused and asked if we had a razor so he could trim his beard. That’s when we had the idea and everyone who was at the store decided to help him in a different way, providing him with a day of beauty,” said Alessandro to the digital platform UOL.
The barbershop not only gave him a haircut, trimmed his beard, and washed him up, but also gave him clothes: three shirts, a pair of pants, a jacket, and new shoes. Little did they know that after they shared pictures of João’s transformation, his family would see them and finally find João after thinking he’d been dead for 10 years.
More info: Padoooficial | Marianosantosbarbearia | Alessandro Lobo
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This is João Coelho Guimarães, who came into the barbershop and asked if he could trim his beard
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
We asked Alessandro, the owner of the barbershop, some questions about the event, and here’s what he had to say when asked why they decided to help João: “We decided to help him because we saw the extreme need he had. We made friends with him over the past two months. And when he asked us for a razor, we welcomed him and gave him the full experience.”
The workers there took him in with open arms and offered him something better than that
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
“We have some social aid projects, and for us, it is very gratifying to be able to help people, whoever they are. In this time of the pandemic, many people lost loved ones and others were left with financial difficulties. A little help is always welcome in such a difficult time,” Alessandro told us when asked if they help homeless people often.
They told João they would give him a complete makeover
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
They shaved and cut his hair, trimmed his beard, and washed João up
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
“It took two hours to complete the transformation. The whole team volunteered and everyone did a little, adding up to a surprising result.” After they gave him the makeover, Alessandro said João had the sweetest reaction. He was genuinely surprised and really grateful. He didn’t say much, but the tears were enough. We were surprised to see that he was also beautiful on the outside, not only in.
By the time the barbers were done, João looked completely different
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
We asked if he knew why João left his home, and Alessandro said that he didn’t want to ask: “I didn’t want to get into the question of why he left home. He must have his reasons, but our intention was just to give him a little dignity at that moment.”
Soon after the photos of the transformation were shared, João got an even bigger surprise
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
His family found him thanks to his photos going viral and the barbershop organized a meeting
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
The person who recognized him and came to meet him was his sister: “His sister Maria Coelho came in a hurry when she saw the pictures. She lives in Brasília DF and has been waiting for 10 years to hear some news about him. She even thought he was dead.”
João was very happy to be reunited with his family and starting his new life
Image credits: padoooficial
His family shared some photos of João when he was younger
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
We asked Alessandro what João is doing now: “João is still on the streets. His sister wanted to welcome him and take him home, but he didn’t want to. He said that on the streets, he feels free. That’s why he didn’t want to go home.”
Let’s hope that this transformation will mark the start of a better time for João
Image credits: padoooficial
Image credits: padoooficial
What do you think of this story? Tell us in the comments down below! And if you want to see a similar post, click here.
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What do you think ?
Nikki Sevven 5 years ago
Right? He's really handsome and has a beautiful smile.
Load More Replies...
Billy The Kid 5 years ago
That was a great gift of kindness!!! If there were a lot of people out there like this the world will be a better place. Just imagine that man went into the barbers for a beard trim not knowing that that was the day to change his life around. Good luck to him and the barbers that helped!
Laura Dawson 5 years ago
this man is beyond handsome, getting major "Logan" vibes from him. Glad things seem to be working out for him & wish him all the best.
Aria Whitaker 5 years ago
WOW, such a handsome man under all of that! Hope his family stays in contact and wishing him the best!
Jade Lynn - Panda's Brat 5 years ago
He has such kindness in his eyes. I hope things work out for him!
Katinka Min 5 years ago
I like the honesty of the story - that it's not 'Oh, look, it jut took a haircut and now he looks good and is healed'. Homelessness is usually a symptom rather than the original problem. We need to help with those problems even more urgently than with the lack of housing.
Lola 5 years ago
This story touched my heart until I read that he refused the help and still chose to live on the streets.
Vernice Aure 5 years ago
There are probably many reasons for his choice. Long standing family issues, the cultural balance of charity/owing/dignity/ independence/interdependence, issues of ability to deal with modern society. His choice touches my heart even more.
Load More Replies...
elif 5 years ago
story starts with "Some people aren’t as lucky as others. Life treats them way worse and they end up at the bottom. Losing their home, family. Made to roam the streets hoping to find cans and other goods in order to survive and eat... but his luck was about to change" ending with his decision to stay on the streets because he feels free. didn't the post author know the end of the story when he started writing it? obviously the streets is not the bottom for joão. perhaps family life is. his sister is pretty decent/sweet looking but he looks diminished in his photo with his sister for example.
Michele Graveline 5 years ago
This story touched my heart and gave me hope. I am adopted and long to find my birth family. After reading this story, the thought that someday my greatest wish could be realized. Your kindness renewed my faith in the compassion still alive in today's world. He is a very handsome man and I would so love to meet him one day. It is sad that he choose to return to the streets, but very understandable. My heart goes out to him. I thank you from the bottom of my heart that you and your team found it in your hearts to to extend the kindness you gave to someone that most people would ignore and turn a blind eye to. And I thank you for giving me hope that my greatest dream could someday come true.
Rainbow Panda 5 years ago
Those barbers are such amazing people. If only everyone could do one small act, the world would be fine. 💝
Faith Nicole 5 years ago (edited)
These are the stories I love reading and hearing about 😍 not only does he look amazing after these selfless men took him in for a makeover, but his family got the news that their loved one is still alive and well, unfortunately not wanting to go home. Whatevwr his true reasons are for not going back home, I do pray that when weather is really bad, or whatever that his sister will always have that open door policy for her brother 💜 I pray he stays safe on the streets. And this baker shop and those men are truly amazing
Gay Vladka Putina 5 years ago
The moral I got from this story is that people do extremely nice things that others appreciate, but it's not going to change his life. Ultimately, he decided he's content with living on the street. That's his choice, of course. But the article is disingenuous when it suggests that this is the start to a better life.
Amaranthim Talon 5 years ago
It is sad he chose to stay on the street. I would think he has mental issues he needs to work through. If he could get the right mindset, he could build on this new start. I hope he will find his way.
Kayla Engle Lewis 5 years ago
They did not mention in the story if he had mental illness-but I wondered if that is a factor for this man.
Ginger Rodgers 5 years ago
I had a previously homeless man living on my balcony for quite some months (more than a year) - He was educated and clean and forget any stereotypes because he was not that - He preferred much like this gentleman not to conform to society's rules and to do his own thing and left my premises to live in a park (he was missing the open spaces) Every homeless person is their own individual and they each have their own story -
Ginger Rodgers 5 years ago
I had a homeless person living on my balcony for more than a year - He said that being indoors was oppressive and left my condo to live in a park - He was very intelligent and well read and clean. Not everyone wants to conform to society and not everyone who is on the streets is a mentally ill person - Prejudice is deadly -
TexasWoman 5 years ago
That’s what you call people who are kind, helpful, and want to be there for others. I’m happy for him that he has his family back.
Diane McMichael 5 years ago
This is an excellent story about hope and choices, so never judge a book by its cover. I try to do random nice things for people when I can and it feels good. And I can forget about the rude, mean, hurtful things people I have known have treated me. I wish him all the luck and the very best.
Ed Martin 5 years ago
I just pray that the new year will give him the good life that he deserves. He is one handsome man and I am sure would make a great employee for any company. May he find the love and happiness that he has missed these past 3 years. This story makes you wonder how many other Men & Women may be out on the street with stories just like Joao's. Best of all things to you and stay strong. Ed
Dream Wolf 5 years ago
Well they did think he was dead for a long while. 10 years is a long time to be deceased
Load More Replies...
Nikki Sevven 5 years ago
Right? He's really handsome and has a beautiful smile.
Load More Replies... Billy The Kid 5 years ago
That was a great gift of kindness!!! If there were a lot of people out there like this the world will be a better place. Just imagine that man went into the barbers for a beard trim not knowing that that was the day to change his life around. Good luck to him and the barbers that helped!
Laura Dawson 5 years ago
this man is beyond handsome, getting major "Logan" vibes from him. Glad things seem to be working out for him & wish him all the best.
Aria Whitaker 5 years ago
WOW, such a handsome man under all of that! Hope his family stays in contact and wishing him the best!
Jade Lynn - Panda's Brat 5 years ago
He has such kindness in his eyes. I hope things work out for him!
Katinka Min 5 years ago
I like the honesty of the story - that it's not 'Oh, look, it jut took a haircut and now he looks good and is healed'. Homelessness is usually a symptom rather than the original problem. We need to help with those problems even more urgently than with the lack of housing.
Lola 5 years ago
This story touched my heart until I read that he refused the help and still chose to live on the streets.
Vernice Aure 5 years ago
There are probably many reasons for his choice. Long standing family issues, the cultural balance of charity/owing/dignity/ independence/interdependence, issues of ability to deal with modern society. His choice touches my heart even more.
Load More Replies... elif 5 years ago
story starts with "Some people aren’t as lucky as others. Life treats them way worse and they end up at the bottom. Losing their home, family. Made to roam the streets hoping to find cans and other goods in order to survive and eat... but his luck was about to change" ending with his decision to stay on the streets because he feels free. didn't the post author know the end of the story when he started writing it? obviously the streets is not the bottom for joão. perhaps family life is. his sister is pretty decent/sweet looking but he looks diminished in his photo with his sister for example.
Michele Graveline 5 years ago
This story touched my heart and gave me hope. I am adopted and long to find my birth family. After reading this story, the thought that someday my greatest wish could be realized. Your kindness renewed my faith in the compassion still alive in today's world. He is a very handsome man and I would so love to meet him one day. It is sad that he choose to return to the streets, but very understandable. My heart goes out to him. I thank you from the bottom of my heart that you and your team found it in your hearts to to extend the kindness you gave to someone that most people would ignore and turn a blind eye to. And I thank you for giving me hope that my greatest dream could someday come true.
Rainbow Panda 5 years ago
Those barbers are such amazing people. If only everyone could do one small act, the world would be fine. 💝
Faith Nicole 5 years ago (edited)
These are the stories I love reading and hearing about 😍 not only does he look amazing after these selfless men took him in for a makeover, but his family got the news that their loved one is still alive and well, unfortunately not wanting to go home. Whatevwr his true reasons are for not going back home, I do pray that when weather is really bad, or whatever that his sister will always have that open door policy for her brother 💜 I pray he stays safe on the streets. And this baker shop and those men are truly amazing
Gay Vladka Putina 5 years ago
The moral I got from this story is that people do extremely nice things that others appreciate, but it's not going to change his life. Ultimately, he decided he's content with living on the street. That's his choice, of course. But the article is disingenuous when it suggests that this is the start to a better life.
Amaranthim Talon 5 years ago
It is sad he chose to stay on the street. I would think he has mental issues he needs to work through. If he could get the right mindset, he could build on this new start. I hope he will find his way.
Kayla Engle Lewis 5 years ago
They did not mention in the story if he had mental illness-but I wondered if that is a factor for this man.
Ginger Rodgers 5 years ago
I had a previously homeless man living on my balcony for quite some months (more than a year) - He was educated and clean and forget any stereotypes because he was not that - He preferred much like this gentleman not to conform to society's rules and to do his own thing and left my premises to live in a park (he was missing the open spaces) Every homeless person is their own individual and they each have their own story -
Ginger Rodgers 5 years ago
I had a homeless person living on my balcony for more than a year - He said that being indoors was oppressive and left my condo to live in a park - He was very intelligent and well read and clean. Not everyone wants to conform to society and not everyone who is on the streets is a mentally ill person - Prejudice is deadly -
TexasWoman 5 years ago
That’s what you call people who are kind, helpful, and want to be there for others. I’m happy for him that he has his family back.
Diane McMichael 5 years ago
This is an excellent story about hope and choices, so never judge a book by its cover. I try to do random nice things for people when I can and it feels good. And I can forget about the rude, mean, hurtful things people I have known have treated me. I wish him all the luck and the very best.
Ed Martin 5 years ago
I just pray that the new year will give him the good life that he deserves. He is one handsome man and I am sure would make a great employee for any company. May he find the love and happiness that he has missed these past 3 years. This story makes you wonder how many other Men & Women may be out on the street with stories just like Joao's. Best of all things to you and stay strong. Ed
Dream Wolf 5 years ago
Well they did think he was dead for a long while. 10 years is a long time to be deceased
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