Groundbreaking dialogue connects with the homeless
WE ARE one tough nation, lemme tell you. Apartheid, corruption, crime, state capture, and the water situation, to mention a few. But we endure. We ride the wave of life for all it’s worth.
About 24 years ago we gave birth to a free nation. But how free are we really?
People still get forcefully removed from areas like Woodstock to be dumped in places like Wolwerivier and Blikkiesdorp. Corrupt politicians… we need to rid ourselves of those who cling to power like “bollie” on a wool blanket.
Very few seem happy. We just go with the flow. It’s mind-boggling that the only way people seem to get attention from the government is to take extreme measures.
After every march and strike, we lose so much to infrastructure that has been destroyed.
The other night was a sign of what is to come for those living on the streets. And we are not ready for winter. But we have little say in the daily decisions made by those in power on behalf of the homeless. And practically, it is not always working out.
Recently, we engaged with high-ranking individuals from the City. It was groundbreaking. The first time in the history of this city. Here we got to talk. And listen. And now we are committed to finding solutions. The feeling of acknowledgement, of being taken seriously was surreal. And we learned that we are all human in the end. That was our connection. The brutal honesty in the dialogue was at times extreme. Emotions were replaced by facts, as hard as it was.
At the end of it all, from my side, I felt hopeful. We turned a new page. All-inclusiveness. A solid foundation we can now build on.
Now for some shelter information. It all started in 2008 with community leader John Philemon, a man with great love and compassion towards the less fortunate.
Youth Solutions Africa in Russell Street, Woodstock, is run by people who previously were clients of the shelter. They provide more than 170 meals per day and an extra 70 plus meals for people arriving at the gates for food and assistance. When available, toiletries packs and clothing is distributed.
They have an active skills development programme in conjunction with the community courts. During the first winter readiness programme, people who were rejected by other shelters and the community due to their past history found a space here. Members of the 26, 27 and 28 gangs were all living here side by side without any major issues or disruptions.
The staff understand the dynamics of being homeless and give support to those who need it. One gets the feeling of “family” here.
To have people in charge who lived the life outside makes so much sense. They never judge and are always willing to go that extra mile. They understand.