It was one of these gloomy winter days in January. It was not extremely cold but there was a bitter wind that added a chill factor. I had to go out early and 7:30 was still partially dark. I was bundled up with a thick sweater and a vest, winter coat with a hood, woolen scarf, gloves and high boots. As I get older I find that winter clothes impede my movement and locomotion.
It was rush hour and busses were standing rooms. Everybody was rushing to get to work and I was afraid I might just be shoved forward or backward. But people were kind and considerate and I was thankful for the seat that was vacated by a young student when I got inside the bus, I was scared when I got off that the driver might start the bus before I was really off. I had to be very careful that I did not slip. The road was slippery.
It was around eleven when I finished with my appointment. It was still gloomy when I came out and walked to the subway. The wind chilled my bones. I pulled my hood tighter to cover my ears and tried to walk faster. I longed for the warmth of home and the bowl of hot wonton soup that I would make and eat while watching television.
On my way to the bus from the subway, I passed by a grate where a man was fast asleep. His dirty disheveled hair partly covered his forehead. He must not have had a shave for a long time and his clothes were filthy. Beside him was a pushcart that held his earthly belongings. They were in assorted plastic bags that must have seen better times.
The man was leaning against the cart that was by a wall. He was sitting on a piece of brown cardboard box with a tin can on his lap that had some coins. He was of an indeterminate age probably around sixty or younger. He was very still but one could see the slight movement of his chest as he breathed.
I must have stopped and stared. I did not know how long. I forgot how cold I was feeling and my craving of my tummy for something hot. The flow of people to and fro continued and the man was left undisturbed in his slumber.
A passerby bumped on me and gave me an irritated look for being on the way. I moved on slowly to the waiting area of the bus terminal and sat down.
This was not the first time I saw a homeless person but had not been stirred the way I was by this one. It was probably because of what I was feeling myself at the time. I was cold, hungry and starting to feel numbness in my legs. I was looking forward to my warm home. In twenty minutes, I would have the comfort of my easy chair with my feet up. And here was this man in the middle of the day oblivious to his surroundings, taking comfort from the warmth of a grate, sleeping with all his worldly possessions with him in that corner. Where would this man be tonight? Where would he get his next meal? Where could he go for a shower?
This man would probably be in a Salvation Army Shelter tonight or a place where hot meals are served like the Yonge Street Mission on the Sharing Place. Those are places downtown. Do we have such places here in the North? I know our church has a program for people “Out in the Cold” in winter once a week. I wondered if that man was getting social welfare benefits- Government as well as non-government organizations here in Canada have resources that homeless people can access to.
Still it is heart-breaking to see these homeless people who leave each day to the mercy of those who will be concerned, no plans, no goals in life and hope.
A few days after that incident the news of that terrible earthquake in Haiti spread all over the world. Every time we turn on the TV, whichever channel, what would greet the eyes were the devastations: buildings crumbled all over, people terrified and confused, followed by pictures of the dead by the thousands and the injured lying by the sidewalk, moaning or just lying unmoved. The earthquake shook Port-Au-Prince; the awesome aftermath shook the world. The immediate needs – food, clean water and medicine started to pour in but did not reach the survivors. There was no organization at the beginning. The roads were clogged with debris barring trucks to be able to deliver the assistance. Men of the media from all over the world flew in to report on the situation. Powerful and rich countries of the world sent not only material, but human assistance. Telethons were held led by celebrities to gather funds. And yet, the first five days were helpless days to most of the people of the worst-affected areas.
The earthquake brought Haiti to the focus of the media. Even before the earthquake life to the majority of its people was a struggle. According to the reports, Haiti is the second poorest county in the world. Its people were enslaved by several colonial countries, the country was ruled for many years by leaders whose political wills brought more difficulties to the masses. Buildings were erected without standard codes so that even the presidential palace and the cathedral crumbled during the earthquake.
The problem of the homeless man sleeping by the grate, which distressed me, seemed to be so small as compared to the thousands who died and the countless survivors who lay injured, hungry and unattended on the sidewalks and parks of Haiti, That homeless man would be able to get assistance if he was not receiving it yet. Those thousands of helpless survivors are struggling and will still struggle for a long time to be able to survive. Many of them may not survive. Hunger and disease or their injuries may overcome them. About 600,000 orphaned children have uncertain futures. The rubbles have to be cleared before rebuilding can start.
And yet, throughout those days of fear, confusion and struggle to survive without leadership or organization from their own government, many of these Haitian people did what they could, digging with puny tools or with their own hands to rescue those caught in the crumbled concrete, carrying and burying the dead, looking for whatever materials they could find to build makeshift shelters, looking for food in unlikely places, caring for the injured and sick even without the necessary medicine and equipments and declaring they would survive and rebuild their country. A Haitian lady who was a neighbor in an orphanage that collapsed has gathered and been feeding about 80 of the children who survived in the disaster through her own resources and the assistance of some volunteers. She has not lost hope that help would come and take care of the children.
Twelve days after the disaster the prime minister of Haiti issued a statement: “We have received great help. We have fallen to the ground but we will get up again. We’re not dead. We’re going to get up and rebuild another Haiti “(Toronto Star, Jan 25, pg 1)
The Philippines had also recently experienced a natural catastrophe, a massive flood that rendered thousands homeless, without food, clean water and other necessities in life. The disaster also called world attention and assistance poured in but not in the same magnitude as the earthquake in Haiti invited. Many of the people affected by that flood were also poor, like the people in Haiti. They fell but they got up and rebuilt. Their faith in God and optimism carry them on. Like Haitians, the Filipino people get very little welfare services from government and non-government agencies. But they prod on. “Pagsikat ng araw, laganap ang awa ng Diyos,” is a common Filipino saying.
At times like this, we people in Canada learn to appreciate more the abundance of resources in this country for helping the vulnerable and the disabled members of our society. Every day we hear the continuous clamor and appeals of advocates for helping our poor, helpless and homeless. Let us continue in our vigilance that they remain cared for.