It sure took me some time to write something about a topic that's sent my country, Malaysia, into quite a bit of a shock.
The reason for the rising number of homeless people in the streets of Kuala Lumpur is the same as everywhere else in the world — urban migration for better economic opportunities, wage stagnation and rising costs of living. Rising rent, utility costs and fuel costs mean that low-income individuals who were previously able to rent rooms in the city are now no longer able to afford the same.The authorities are basically saying two things:-
- People are homeless because they are lazy
- People who provide free food for these people are committing crimes
No matter how many times I try to look at the whole issue, I just can't find logic in it. People who made these sweeping statements have not BEEN down to the streets to see how bad things are for some of these homeless people. They have not have to sleep on nothing but cardbox boxes. It is not like they have to, you know what I mean?
But the rest of us who have faced hardship, abandonment, helplessness, health issues, fear, and sadness about not being able to pick ourselves up....we have. We have seen what the bottom of the pit looks like. That is why we go out of our way to do something to help these people, not because we want to encourage them to continue being homeless and helpless.
The point is to give them hope. There ARE people who are willing to help. There are people who do not think things are over for them. There is still a tunnel to climb through. Climb. In the meantime, here's some food.
I do not see why these soup kitchens have to be ordered out of town and thought to be committing a crime when they do that.
There are homeless people everywhere. Even in established nations like United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, you name it they have it. It is not something that is unique to Malaysia. In fact, if you want to look even closer, I have seen aunties in Hong Kong collecting recycled items to sell, dressed in shrubby clothing and pushing a cart along the walkway. I have also seen some artists trying to make a living off the streets of Singapore. I have also seen beggars in dark subway tunnels of South Korea, on the wet stairs who look like they needed a shower ten days ago, heads bowed and begging.
We should have more compassion and a heart. I hope the few heartless authorities will find a heart in the left chest cavity of their bodies soon.
And Kudos to the advert people of Nandos who came up with this advert.