A bite out of homelessness
EARLIER this week, the question was again posed on these opinion pages about how to help the homeless of our city off the streets. That, we submit, would be to treat the symptom instead of the cause.
When the Cape Argus launched The Dignity Project, we sought not to be presumptuous about the homeless. It was not about handouts or being a platform for charity. Rather, it sought to give a voice to the most marginalised in our society, many of whom are not homeless by choice.
We delved into the lives of the individuals who live on our streets and along the way we met musicians, moms, professionals – all of whom life had dealt a rough hand. Along the way we found Danny Oosthuizen, who continues to write a column that speaks to the triumphs, trials and tribulations of our homeless.
We learnt many things along the way as well, chiefly that homeless people wanted to be regarded as fellow citizens, to be looked in the eye, asked their names and asked how their day was.
We believe we have begun to shift attitudes. We have seen it in the responses to Danny’s column and the correspondence on our feedback and letters platforms.
Today, the Cape Argus marks another significant step for the homeless of our city in the form of the humble sandwich – aptly called “The Dignity Sandwich”.
A few weeks ago Streetscapes – a project that seeks to find work opportunities for the homeless – approached our newspaper with an offer to supply lunchtime sandwiches to the newsroom. They then sent sample sandwiches that disappeared within minutes and, yesterday, the first batch was ordered and sold in our newsroom. The ingredients are organically grown in the Streetscapes garden off Roeland Street in the CBD.
WE CAN write opinion pieces about the solutions. That is important. But we can help to restore the dignity of homeless people by giving them a sense of purpose. A sense their contribution is valued.
The answer may just lie in the humble sandwich. By creating work opportunities, we can begin to solve homelessness – one slice at a time.