She repeated herself, “hello Mam, do you have a R5 please?” You looked the other way and mumbled. “Go find a job”
I looked at her, filthy, with a stench that pushed me to the other side of the pavement. “Go find a job” you said!
How?
Do you think anyone is going to employ a woman who has so much dirt under her nails that weeds could grow if only those nails saw a few drops of water a day? Do you think anyone would let her enter their office if they could smell her pungent presence before she even entered their car park?
No!
Yet you dismissed the very essence of her needs. A toilet and water. Hygiene and dignity. Yes, she needs a job, BUT first she needs access to a toilet 24/7 and some water to bathe.
“Do you have a R5 please Sir?” You stepped back and gave a R20. “God bless!” Came the grateful response, as he slowly waddled his way to the bottle store for some cheap wine.
It was only 11:20. Yet he could barely walk a straight line. You enabled his addiction that day. I suppose it’s easier to throw money at the “problem” than it would be to give money to a long term solutions. The numbers are escalating and there aren’t enough trees on our streets . . .
Observing. Silent. I numb all emotion.
I urge you to read about the Cape Argus’ “#TheDignityProject” to learn more about the homeless people you see on the street.
“And So It Goes . . . ” is today’s tandem blog topic, 3 bloggers 1 title. All published on the same day at the same time. Read my fellow tandem blogger’s interpretation by following the below links. Comments AND shares are welcome!
Thanks for sharing Chev. Didn’t know about #TheDignityProject. Will be following that.
And you are so right. It’s easy to throw money at the “problem”. And fool enough to throwing it the wrong way.
Thanks Celeste, yes it’s been quite an interesting read, the #dignityproject
Something that hits me on the corners of Bosmansdam Road on the daily. I’ll be looking out for #TheDignityProject and sharing with others. Great post Chevone.
Yes Shelley the reality hits us in tge face around every second street corner 🙁