I have to say I hate poverty and how it often leads to child neglect.
I love living in this area of Winnipeg because I believe it gives me a chance to make a difference for the better. I believe the people who live here are worth time and effort. They are worth relationship. I believe that even more when it comes to children.
I see glimpses of poverty all around me. I see children in my Cafe who regularly eat only one or two meals a day. Often the food they eat is junk. I hate that the local Safeway store charges twice the price as Superstore for some vegetables and fruit. Chips and pop are always on sale at the front of the store, along with sugar cereals and cookies.
Over the past couple of weeks a group of five young boys (I would guess they are all under the age of 12) have been running all through the building. Sound travels well. Twice now I've stopped them in the hallway and used my 'stern voice' telling them the halls are not a playground. Today I was going to the basement to do laundry after my reminder to the boys. One was just going into their flat as I was walking past. I do not enjoy using a stern voice with children. Especially in this area as I am guessing it is most often the one they hear from adults. So I stopped and gently reminded them of the playground at the school behind the building. I then asked if they had warm clothes and the boy said they did and it might be nice to go outside and play. I happened to look into the flat and see the only piece of furniture was two large mattresses on the floor in the sitting room. The lights were off and one boy was sitting on the mantle above the fireplace. There was no sign of an adult. I think that might be a good thing though as there is usually the smell of marijuana coming from there when adults are present.
Honestly, I have no idea what their life is like. Maybe it isn't as bad as it looked. But my heart broke for those boys. Have they eaten today? How about yesterday? Did anyone care what they were doing? I care. However, I feel helpless. How can I help children in this area? Surely something more can be done for them.
I love living in this area of Winnipeg because I believe it gives me a chance to make a difference for the better. I believe the people who live here are worth time and effort. They are worth relationship. I believe that even more when it comes to children.
I see glimpses of poverty all around me. I see children in my Cafe who regularly eat only one or two meals a day. Often the food they eat is junk. I hate that the local Safeway store charges twice the price as Superstore for some vegetables and fruit. Chips and pop are always on sale at the front of the store, along with sugar cereals and cookies.
Over the past couple of weeks a group of five young boys (I would guess they are all under the age of 12) have been running all through the building. Sound travels well. Twice now I've stopped them in the hallway and used my 'stern voice' telling them the halls are not a playground. Today I was going to the basement to do laundry after my reminder to the boys. One was just going into their flat as I was walking past. I do not enjoy using a stern voice with children. Especially in this area as I am guessing it is most often the one they hear from adults. So I stopped and gently reminded them of the playground at the school behind the building. I then asked if they had warm clothes and the boy said they did and it might be nice to go outside and play. I happened to look into the flat and see the only piece of furniture was two large mattresses on the floor in the sitting room. The lights were off and one boy was sitting on the mantle above the fireplace. There was no sign of an adult. I think that might be a good thing though as there is usually the smell of marijuana coming from there when adults are present.
Honestly, I have no idea what their life is like. Maybe it isn't as bad as it looked. But my heart broke for those boys. Have they eaten today? How about yesterday? Did anyone care what they were doing? I care. However, I feel helpless. How can I help children in this area? Surely something more can be done for them.
B this gave me shivers reading this, so sad but so real :( I pray you may be a bright light in your building and area where you live!
ReplyDelete