As I walked in between two buildings in Africa I noticed a door that was opened so I looked to my left and saw poverty for the first time through different eyes as I passed a one bedroom apartment with the door opened there was a mother and her children living without furniture, a black dirty mattress with no sheets lay on concrete floor with no carpet, no washer and dryer, as I watched a mother lay the wet clothes on the concrete floor and the children stood within the apartment without no toys. As I continued to walk people stood in line at a water facet to fill their empty jugs with water and others waiting to wash clothes without soap or laundry detergent. As I continued to walk down the alley I saw two boys kicking an empty plastic bottle back and forth as if they were playing soccer without a soccer ball. Two women wearing veils with only there eyes showing walked passed me, and as I traveled through Moroco it was apparent that one street over were Palaces where Kings and Queens lived. There was no middle class. Individuals either lived in poverty or wealth. Before I returned to the US I not only found myself to appreciate my country, but freedom as well.
So what made me interested in homelessness? Over the years, I have worked within the social service setting and have seen people's lives affected by different circumstances from the poor to the middle class to the wealthy. Regardless of socioeconomic status life does not always come easy nor is life always served in a silver platter to everyone. With homelessness on the rise and ever increasing statistics of at risk groups, families, single parents with children, and veterans who are homeless. Yes that is correct. There are veterans who find themselves homeless. The very ones who fought for our freedom some of which find themselves living on the streets, and eating out of dumpsters within the land of the free. These different populations make up over three million annually who are homeless. Poverty is the root of homeless which can also be found among different socioeconomic classes who are not homeless, and not just the homeless. A home consist of a family, love, stability, and a strong family support unit. Not only is it through lifes lessons, trials, and tribulations that we find ourselves depending on either a higher power or God almighty. How do we as individuals view poverty and homelessness among families?
2 comments:
I think that when Americans think of homelessness they think of similar scenes to the one you described. I went on a trip to Macedonia and saw some similarities to those you describe. Coincidentally, I did notice one thing about them that I do not necessarily see in America: they were still happy. Hungry, no proper clothing, but just excited to see others who were not from their native land. Homelessness can extend from the children who are seen on TV and in need of immediate shelter and care to the single mother who lives in her care yet manages to get her children to school and herself to work without anyone suspecting the lease. Regardless of the magnitude, as humans and social workers it is our ethical duty to be concerned and assist those in any way that we can.
I walked the dog today and noticed the foreclosure of a home in my neighborhood. My first impulse is to be grateful its not me but then I realize how easily it might be me. The owner was a big developer on Ono Island, had apparently gone through a divorce.Then his house was for sale by owner, then by a realtor, and now bank owned. I only noticed the No Trepassing sign because it looked so different from the sea of sale signs in the neighborhood and I realize I am wrong. It is me too because of the give away sale prices and now this foreclosure, my home is worth less because of its proximity.
We have lived for a long time in a financial culture based on want not entirely need. It has now caught up to us big time. When did luxuries become necessities? In the process of losing sight of that depression motto-Use it up, make it do or do with out-we have become wasteful and careless with resources. When did we become defined by what we drive and wear?
Many people bought homes that wound up owning them. As this has been a process in the making, I doubt there will be an immediate fix. I remind myself often of what Mary Poppins said, "Enough is as good as a feast." So far I am fortunate to have enough.
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