‘People of the streets’ become focal point

For the next two months, those persons who call the streets of Kingstown home, will be the focus of attention of a group of persons involved in a social work programme administered by the University of the West Indies.{{more}}

Dubbed “Changing lives, one step at a time through social work”, the practicum being conducted engages the people of the streets in face-to-face sessions, with the aim of helping them to improve their current condition.

Charged with various tasks, the 16 students have set out to ensure that the people of the streets get some attention, which in turn should help lift their self-image.

So, last Sunday afternoon, the group outfitted some of the people of the streets in Olympic jerseys and took them on a walk through Kingstown.

Gwenneth Anthony, one of the group members, told SEARCHLIGHT: “Persons in the community who see them need to know that they are human beings and they have their own sets of problems and need somebody to just listen to them just the same”.

Anthony said, through the interaction, the group members have been able to bond with the people of the streets and understand their plight.

“They are able to tell us exactly their names, where they live, what they do, where they are from and have that interaction with them”, Anthony noted.

“The whole nation is to know about these people; they see them, but as to what they are doing on a daily basis, they don’t know”, Anthony added.

Describing them as being “smart and intelligent”, Anthony said that part of the practicum includes helping to improve their health habits and giving them some pastoral care.

Anthony stated that they are working in unison with the Catholic soup kitchen and Desiree Wilson to assist in the feeding of the people of the streets.

Anthony disclosed that among the other activities planned is a fund-raising effort, so that the group can make a contribution to the soup kitchen.

“Serving about 80 meals per day is a costly exercise and we will raise some funds and give to the Catholics as part of our contribution to their soup kitchen”, Anthony said.

The group’s practicum will be completed in April.