The Streets: My Neighbors

Last Sunday, I did something that I have never done before...

Heard of it a couple of times...

But prior to this, I have never thought of doing it...

I was on the streets of Masjid Jamek with a group of friends with some pre-packed nasi lemak, oranges and cookies, hoping to share some love this CNY season... Initially, I felt so out of place... Awkward... I went with no expectation, and would have been happy to just stand aside and watch. But with a little push, I took the courage to speak to some of the homeless people on the streets... And even pray for some of them... Honestly, those were possibly some of the most 'koyakz' prayer ever! I have obviously return every bit of Bahasa to my Form 5 teacher...

What was eye-opening and special for that night was the stories shared by the people on the streets... Some of their stories sounded like a script from TV drama series, and I would never have thought that it was even possible to occur in this 'somewhat civilized' community that I am living in... Many of their stories were heart breaking, and the fact that they are still trying to live is courageous!

Their bed is simply a piece of cardboard or newspapers... The shelter over their head is the sidewalks of shop houses... With the little that they own, they still have to worry that they might be robbed when they sleep at night. Their food, is given by volunteers from various NGOs. If that night nobody feed them, they would have gone to bed with an empty stomach. There was no particular gender, race, religion or age group for the people on the streets. It could be anyone.

Living with such uncertainties, they continued living. Some were injured, but could not afford medical healthcare... Some tried to look for job, but with no success... Some were on drugs, but the urges were strong and difficult to quit. They have families, yet left on the streets. 

Many would say that we should be grateful because we have much more than them... Well, we (as in readers) definitely have more, but I believe life is not about comparing our lives with theirs and feeling good about overself. But what can we do as a society? They are not staying in an isolated island somewhere... They are right here, probably just a street away from our favorite malls, or a junction away from our house / school / offices. So near, yet it felt like we are worlds apart. They are also our neighbors. 

Today onward, I want to do my part... Just a little part... I am going to keep a few packs of biscuits with me everywhere I go, and hand them out whenever I see someone in need.

Join me  if you're reading this... We can make a difference :)