Easy way to give people work who want to work

OFFICIALS in the US are putting homeless people back on the streets, this time to pay them to pick up trash as part of a new programme. Homeless people, who are staying in tent shelters, will be clearing trash and brush for five hours a day, three days a week.

The programme, called Alpha Project’s “Wheels of Change” , will pay $11.50 per hour. This is about creating more opportunities for the homeless to lift themselves out of poverty. It will help restore people’s dignity and self-worth by allowing them to earn money and begin to get back on their feet.

This could be implemented in SA. Please don’t say there is no money. Instead of giving high salary earners a bonus, put that money in a special fund for this kind of project. Instead of paying Jacob Zuma’s legal fees, use the money for such a project.

The president talks about reducing crime and poverty; but people have to live and if they have no income they resort to crime to get money to live. With this kind of project the crime rate will decrease as people have a legal way to earn money and the prison population will eventually decrease. Many people sit on the kerbside with placards asking for work. Give them a chance as these are people who will work hard to earn some money to feed their families.

Employ people on merit and the ability to do a good job rather than the colour of their skins. This way you will know that the job will be done well.

I hope this letter will be published and someone in government will read it and hopefully do something about this.