One thing that I never realized before recently is that there is real poverty here in North America. I assumed that people that struggled to feed themselves had made previous bad decisions that left them in bad space. I was recently awoken to the fact that I had been very wrong in my assumption.
Joel and I used to live in on the top floor of a house. While we were living there we had some refugee couple move in below us. The man, Ali, was from Iran and his girl friend Christina was from Mexico. We got to know them and have a built a friendship with them. Ali and Christina recently separated. When Christina left Mexico she had to leave her children behind with her mother. They just arrived yesterday after 14 months. Christina is in a very difficult situation now. Her children are just here as visitors so she will get no aid from the government for them. She only works 14 hours per week for minimum wage. Welfare will see that she gets at $510/month but that's not enough for family when that is probably the cheapest you can rent a one bedroom apartment for. Her English is pretty good but she has had trouble finding more work because she doesn't have Canadian experience and she has an accent. Her children won't be able to go to school here because they are only visitors so she will also have to consider child care while she is working. At the end of the month she has to find a place to live that will accept her children because she can't afford her current place now that she has separated from Ali. I don't know how she is going to manage. It was tough enough for me to find a job as Canadian. It's also quite difficult to find a place to rent when you have children. She said that when she called and told them that she had children they said, "no children, no pets". She thought that it was great how her children were considered equal to animals.
This situation has left me realizing just how fat and happy my life really is. I will probably never have to flee the country. I'll probably won't be away from my children for a over a year. I will probably also be able to eat as much as I want. I will probably never even need to get a job again. There are people within our midst that need our help, love and support. The poor are not just out there in Africa but they are right here. I can't sit on my money, time or other resources when there are people that God loves suffering that I can help. You can help these types of people too. Don't just send your old clothes to refugee centres. Go to a centre and meet some people and invite them for dinner. Build a friendship with a refugee. Become vulnerable and pour your life into these people. As a bonus, a lot of refugees are well educated and can offer a two way friendship. Please consider helping someone in a meaningful way today.
Posted by rose at September 9, 2004 01:30 PM | TrackBackI sometimes forget how fortunate I am so thank you for the reality check, as well as the reminder that the less fortunate among us need our compassion and kindness more than anything.
Posted by: stephanie at September 16, 2004 02:34 AMI wanted to add that if possible your friend should check out organizations like labour ready. They provide work on a day to day basis and you are paid immediately. They also spot your transportation, then take it off your cheque. I have worked through them and i HATED the work but you gotta feed the kids. Maybe you could take care of her children while she does this. Unfortunately, its terrible pay but an option far better than being hungry or unable to pay bills. There are also low paying, non consistent positions in the film industry doing background. . though they are not dependable. Welfare is such a joke. Its almost impossible to support yourself on min wage, and an insult and joke to fathom that half that amount is sufficient. no wonder people turn to crime when they can't even pay for shelter and the rest of the population expects gratitude and looks down on them. ugh.
Posted by: at January 24, 2005 09:25 PMI wanted to add that if possible your friend should check out organizations like labour ready. They provide work on a day to day basis and you are paid immediately. They also spot your transportation, then take it off your cheque. I have worked through them and i HATED the work but you gotta feed the kids. Maybe you could take care of her children while she does this. Unfortunately, its terrible pay but an option far better than being hungry or unable to pay bills. There are also low paying, non consistent positions in the film industry doing background. . though they are not dependable. Welfare is such a joke. Its almost impossible to support yourself on min wage, and an insult and joke to fathom that half that amount is sufficient. no wonder people turn to crime when they can't even pay for shelter and the rest of the population expects gratitude and looks down on them. ugh.
Posted by: Rantin' uh oh at January 24, 2005 09:26 PM