Those vagrant/homeless people
21.JAN.11
Editor: Those vagrants/homeless people sometimes can be a harassment to passers by, especially Tourists. Nonetheless, they are humans and deserve a better life. It is amazing how Belto was remembered and recognized after his death and not while he was alive.{{more}} Sadly, but true, that is how many of us will be recognized and remembered after we are dead.
The subject of the vagrants/homeless people in and around Kingstown is cause for concern. For sometime now, I have been tempted to write on this subject, but now is the right time. Since the recent death of Belto, the need to deal with this issue has been reinforced. From reading the newspapers and hearing of the contributions Belto made during his early years, it is indeed amazing. Hardly anyone seems to care if he existed or not, but now that he is dead, he is being remembered. How sad!
I am certain that many like him have made meaningful contributions to nation building, but because of challenging circumstances are now sleeping on the streets as vagrants/homeless persons. I am sure all of these vagrants/homeless persons have loved ones and friends, yet they are abandoned. What a shame!
Giving them a meal or money is commendable, but not enough. Efforts should be made to contact the loved ones of these people and they be accepted at home. Of course, I realize it is easier said than done, for some of these vagrants are drug addicts. Some are not, but are simply mentally unstable. Some may have encountered a difficult problem and may have never been helped by anyone, so he ends up on the street.
It is my sincerest hope that efforts should be made by both the government and private sector to build a home for these unfortunate persons. In this home, a counsellor should be attached to give counselling. For in many cases if counselling and support were rendered then there would hardly be any vagrants living on the streets.
While at the home, and after counselling has been given, it is hoped that the individuals would be helped. When this is done, the relatives of those individuals should be contacted with the hope of taking into their home such a person. In cases where it is financially difficult, like in the case where an individual who is homeless has relatives, but they are unable to support them financially or donât have a home to put them, then the Social Welfare should ensure that they are taken care of in every aspect.
After all they are humans, too, and can make a worthwhile contribution to society. It is time for action and maybe it is time to form an association to deal with these people, where it will act as an agent seeking support and ensuring that they are well taken care of. If these ideas are taken on board by the powers that be, then I know we will continue to be a blessed nation. Not forgetting that we all have a part to play, we can reach out in love and understanding to these people who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Kennard King
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