The sadness of homelessness

[Vee]

I’ve always seen some homeless people here in France, but until recently, those living on the streets were isolated cases of people who suffer from addiction and/or mental illness and in some particular areas there are groups of illegal migrants living in tents, waiting to either get their papers or go to another country.

But this year things changed. Now I see camps of homeless people in places where they had never existed before. There is a bunch of tents under the trees of a public park where I like to run. A lot of the people in there are young adults.

Every day I see the financial markets going parabolic on the easy money being created out of nothing, and the people are getting poorer and more desperate.

It’s winter and they are sleeping in tents, without bathrooms and eating whatever the local associations can give them. I’m not surprised this is happening, but it still makes me really sad. No one should have to live in a tent and endure a winter in those conditions.

 

[Secret Chief]

Homelessness in the UK has sky-rocketed in recent years. Rising unemployment, suppression of wages, law changes making it easier for landlords to evict tenants, state benefit caps, cuts and made harder to claim....
What a surprise, you had a roof over your head and a job, you lose your job and pretty soon you're in a tent if you can't sofa surf.

 

[sun rise]

Every day I see the financial markets going parabolic on the easy money being created out of nothing, and the people are getting poorer and more desperate.

I probably wrote this before here, but as a volunteer with White Pony here in Contra Costa County there was a little anecdote that made it very personal. There was an event that offered food, clothing and toys for children to those at the very bottom.

A little girl picked up a toy, perhaps a doll. The volunteer said something like "that will look very nice on your bed". The girl replied "I don't have a bed"

That still tears me up.

This ever increasing disparity between those rolling on money and grasping greedily for even more and those who are falling into abject poverty must end one way or another.

 

[Vee]

Homelessness in the UK has sky-rocketed in recent years. Rising unemployment, suppression of wages, law changes making it easier for landlords to evict tenants, state benefit caps, cuts and made harder to claim....
What a surprise, you had a roof over your head and a job, you lose your job and pretty soon you're in a tent if you can't sofa surf.

That's exactly what's happening here. I work for the wine tourism industry and we were very seriously impacted but because I have a permanent contract, I was able to keep my job, albeit with a lower salary. Since I keep my life simple and I have some savings, so far I've been able to cope, but those with temporary jobs and internships were left with nothing and if their families can't help, they end up on the streets.

 

[Vee]

The girl replied "I don't have a bed"

That still tears me up.

.

Me too

 

[Eyes to See]

I’ve always seen some homeless people here in France, but until recently, those living on the streets were isolated cases of people who suffer from addiction and/or mental illness and in some particular areas there are groups of illegal migrants living in tents, waiting to either get their papers or go to another country.

But this year things changed. Now I see camps of homeless people in places where they had never existed before. There is a bunch of tents under the trees of a public park where I like to run. A lot of the people in there are young adults.

Every day I see the financial markets going parabolic on the easy money being created out of nothing, and the people are getting poorer and more desperate.

It’s winter and they are sleeping in tents, without bathrooms and eating whatever the local associations can give them. I’m not surprised this is happening, but it still makes me really sad. No one should have to live in a tent and endure a winter in those conditions.

Greetings Vee. It is true, what you say. It is a testament to the failure of man-made governance, corrupt and inept, worldwide. The earth is capable easily to feed and house everyone. But humans are not capable of bringing about the needed changes.

Please see this issue of The Watchtower revealing the real solution to mankind's pressing problems, including the end to homelessness:

https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-no2-2020-may-jun/

In the near future the Bible prophecy that states the following will be fuilfilled:

"They will build houses and live in them,
And they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage.
 They will not build for someone else to inhabit,
Nor will they plant for others to eat.
For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree,
And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full."
-Isaiah 66:21-22.

In that new world of peace under God's kingdom rule on earth in Jesus' hands he will eliminate all suffering, sickness, hunger, pain, and death!-Revelation 21:3-4.

 

[Vee]

Please see this issue of The Watchtower revealing the real solution to mankind's pressing problems, including the end to homelessness:

https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-no2-2020-may-jun/

.

Thanks, I already read it.
Take care

 

[Hellbound Serpiente]

If you guys find that harsh, you cannot even imagine the sadness and despair of homeless/poor people in my part of the world. I've SEEN homeless people dying out of hunger, cold and/or just killing themselves and their families [including children] to end their miseries. We have regular cases of women, children, old people RAPED by a''holes who take advantage of their situation and/or attacked by some feral dogs etc. And things SO messed up that I can't even write them here.

Although, thankfully, I am yet to face homelessness, I have served in military and have been out on the field, and things were incredibly agonizing on me, both physically and mentally. And this is despite of the fact I was healthy and young [early 20's back then]. When I think of how hard it must be for children, women, old people who actually ARE homelessness, a part of me just die a painful death.

May God have Mercy on all of us

 

[Vee]

If you guys find that harsh, you cannot even imagine the sadness and despair of homeless/poor people in my part of the world.

May I ask where you are?

 

[PureX]

I probably wrote this before here, but as a volunteer with White Pony here in Contra Costa County there was a little anecdote that made it very personal. There was an event that offered food, clothing and toys for children to those at the very bottom.

A little girl picked up a toy, perhaps a doll. The volunteer said something like "that will look very nice on your bed". The girl replied "I don't have a bed"

That still tears me up.

This ever increasing disparity between those rolling on money and grasping greedily for even more and those who are falling into abject poverty must end one way or another.

So why do we keep electing politicians who want to punish the poor for being poor, and the out-of-work for being out of work? Or the mentally disabled for being mentally disabled? Why are we turning against each other, and enabling the greed and exploitation that causes all this suffering?

I have no answer.

 

[Hellbound Serpiente]

May I ask where you are?

Hell on Earth --- Punkistan.

 

[Vee]

@Hellbound Serpiente You're right. I can't imagine everything you've seen.
As a Christian I have a great hope that comes from the message in the Bible, and I still suffer with every form of injustice I see. I really don't know how I would react if I had lived the things you talk about. It's beyond me.

 

[Eyes to See]

If you guys find that harsh, you cannot even imagine the sadness and despair of homeless/poor people in my part of the world. I've SEEN homeless people dying out of hunger, cold and/or just killing themselves and their families [including children] to end their miseries. We have regular cases of women, children, old people RAPED by a''holes who take advantage of their situation and/or attacked by some feral dogs etc. And things SO messed up that I can't even write them here.

Although, thankfully, I am yet to face homelessness, I have served in military and have been out on the field, and things were incredibly agonizing on me, both physically and mentally. And this is despite of the fact I was healthy and young [early 20's back then]. When I think of how hard it must be for children, women, old people who actually ARE homelessness, a part of me just die a painful death.

May God have Mercy on all of us

Greetings Hellbound Serpiente. I can understand a little the handle you chose for yourself after reading your sad statements on your personal experiences. And they are not unique unfortunately. My heart goes out to all who suffer, and to you as well. After reading the statement I did a quick prayer for you. And wondered what would be good to share with you. And this came to mind. Perhaps you will find comfort in it:

https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODBibleTeachings/pub-jwbcov_201505_11_VIDEO

 

[Secret Chief]

• There were an estimated 726 deaths of homeless people in England and Wales registered in 2018, the highest year-to-year increase (22%) since our time series began.
  - Deaths of homeless people in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics

 

[Hellbound Serpiente]

@Hellbound Serpiente You're right. I can't imagine everything you've seen.
As a Christian I have a great hope that comes from the message in the Bible, and I still suffer with every form of injustice I see. I really don't know how I would react if I had lived the things you talk about. It's beyond me.

It's a good thing. Good-heart, sweet individuals like you shouldn't go through horrors that I and many people here do. Even if you come back alive, you'll be psychologically scarred for life. I need constant medication to stay stable because of how much psychologically unstable I've become because of my experiences.

I've read some Bible too [but it was a long time ago and I forgot most of it]. I hope all the good things I've read is true. I can't wait for a Savior to come and make the wrong things right.

 

[Hellbound Serpiente]

Greetings Hellbound Serpiente. I can understand a little the handle you chose for yourself after reading your sad statements on your personal experiences. And they are not unique unfortunately. My heart goes out to all who suffer, and to you as well. After reading the statement I did a quick prayer for you. And wondered what would be good to share with you. And this came to mind. Perhaps you will find comfort in it:

https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODBibleTeachings/pub-jwbcov_201505_11_VIDEO

Thanks, I appreciate it with utmost appreciation. You have no idea how much I believe prayers can do magic. Thanks for praying for me. Please pray for all of us. The world is in dire need of God's Help. You, me, Vee, him, her, ALL of us is in dire need of God all the time. The world is a very brutal and dark place.

I hope everything in the Bible is true and Jesus Christ and our Savior comes, and may His Kingdom be established and last FOREVER

God Willing, I'd do everything in my power to become one of His servant and try to make wrong things right.

 

[metis]

Not only do we as people of faith have responsibilities, so do governments. Homelessness and poverty are black marks on any country that does not try to adequately deal with these problems. When Gandhi was asked what he thought about British culture, his famous reply was "They ought to try it".

IOW, personal charity is important but it simply is not enough to take care of today's needy.

 

[Audie]

I probably wrote this before here, but as a volunteer with White Pony here in Contra Costa County there was a little anecdote that made it very personal. There was an event that offered food, clothing and toys for children to those at the very bottom.

A little girl picked up a toy, perhaps a doll. The volunteer said something like "that will look very nice on your bed". The girl replied "I don't have a bed"

That still tears me up.

This ever increasing disparity between those rolling on money and grasping greedily for even more and those who are falling into abject poverty must end one way or another.

Not that I need to defend myself at 3 am
or any other time but-

Its true I have more than I need.
I employ a lady from a third world country,
full time, at my home. She makes way more
than she could in her country.

I have given hundreds of thousands in
charitable donations.

I live a simple life way below my means.

I can access cash, but virtually all of
my net worth is invested in real estate
and development.
People live in, work in, build etc
all of it. Jobs. Housing. These are
not bad things. The government does not
employ or house those people, I do.

Of course I take a profit. Do I turn
it to gold and diamonds that I pour over my head?
(Nope )

It goes into the next project that employs
yet more people.

If thats is rolling in it, greedy and grasping
to you, heartless and heedless, it does not
seem so to me.

What would you have me do differently?

Sure its not fair that I inherited and others did not.
Or that I am short when I wish I am tall and
glamorous.

Is there some chance you can see its not
always just evil greed that separates and
characterizes those in the1 percent?

 

[oldbadger]

Homelessness in the UK has sky-rocketed in recent years. Rising unemployment, suppression of wages, law changes making it easier for landlords to evict tenants, state benefit caps, cuts and made harder to claim....
What a surprise, you had a roof over your head and a job, you lose your job and pretty soon you're in a tent if you can't sofa surf.

It's dreadful in Kent as well. Which county are you in? Covid has really smashed up so many lives. And social distancing has stopped so many social aid charities and systems .
And it's getting cold.

 

[Audie]

It's dreadful in Kent as well. Which county are you in? Covid has really smashed up so many lives. And social distancing has stopped so many social aid charities and systems .
And it's getting cold.

Out of such conditions uprisings might start.