A WOMAN IN ADVANCED STAGE OF PREGNANCY, her face twisted in humiliation, tears running down her face and her right hand protectively over her unborn infant within stood begging for food money. She is sleeping on the streets. There are many pregnant women sleeping on the streets in Ireland now; they, along with others, are the face of the New Poor. These are educated people who were able to sustain their families, homes and lives through hard work, worship, community and family life. A combination of factors have led to their homeless status. Among them are higher taxation, higher living costs, lowered salaries for higher hours, lack of jobs, lack of ability to access assistance as they do not qualify, rapidly increasing rents.
Inundation of homeless
Lumiere Charity has been working among the homeless in Ireland since 2004. The inundation of homeless on the streets now have become a haemmorhage of humanity. Last week alone saw gaunt mothers and fathers silently walking with infants, children; pregnant women near their time; young men unable to get jobs or access assistance beginning to starve; families with beloved family pets sleeping in the street.
Face of human tragedy
The face of human tragedy has become desperate in Dublin. A few weeks ago; it was raining and cold. A young man, inadequately clad, was hunting for piles of cardboard and settled himself on the ground, pulling the cardboard over himself as protection in the cold night. What made his plight particularly pitiful was both the dignity with which he carried himself, and the weeds which sprouted around his makeshift bed in the soggy rain. The piles of cardboard tidily flattened and put outside Dublin shops have become a prized commodity among the homeless, who share them out at night as their only protection against the elements. There is a rule among the homeless; the pregnant, the youngest and the oldest get the first and most pieces of cardboard. They also get the places on the street least in the way of the wind and rain. Homeless people daily club together, and pool money they have either earned through small jobs, or begged; they then buy a hostel and breakfast for the night for the most vulnerable street dwellers. Failing the funds for that, they buy food and drink for the most vulnerable; often going without themselves . . .
Verge of pneumonia
A tall young gentleman stood next to a shop, laboriously counting copper coins. To see a young man so humbly trying to make the cost of a cup of tea was heartrending. In the last two weeks alone, eight people on the verge of pneumonia. They do not have the cost to access public health service. One young gentleman is slowly starving. The stories of heroism are never ending. For those starving on the street, whenever they get some funds, instead of keeping the extra for their next few days bed and board, they help others by paying for them to access a hostel, breakfast and shower. It would break your heart.
Grim struggle
The homeless have entered a grim struggle to maintain their human dignity and cleanliness. A shower at the hostel with wash and dry of clothes are often chosen above food. So you see someone spotless and clean, slowly wasting away. There is a determination not to resort to crime, or to sell the only possession they have left; themselves.
Tidal wage of humanity
Lumiere is working among the homeless. However, the scale of people becoming homeless daily has become alarming, and the age and vulnerability of many of the homeless (pregnant women near their time, young adults) has become the norm. Lumiere has heard it said that those on the streets are there because of drugs and addictions. It is true that some homeless are struggling with these issues; many of whom are trying to break the cycle of emotional heartbreak and entrapment in which they find themselves. It is also true that the face of the new poor flooding onto the streets are people who until very recently were able to fund their families and their lives, and are no longer able to do so. The reality is that the tidal wave of humanity pouring onto the streets in Ireland face an uncertain future. Without jobs, without protective shelter, without healthcare, the number of people dying will surely rise. Winter is due to come within a few months; there is deep concern among those ministering to the homeless as to what will happen then. Without jobs, without rents which hardworking and family value based families can afford, without recourse to crime or solicitation, there can be only one outcome. No income means a death sentence.
In the spirit of Lumiere
In the spirit of Lumiere, is there anything you can do to help?
Good Shepherd Church has a street pastor programme working on the streets.
If you are a priest, why not consider donating some of your free time to working on the streets?
If you are a street pastor, your ministry is desperately needed.
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