Empowering the homeless

Sep 01, 2016

By Gary Conrad Liew
I’ve heard this numerous times: “Gary, why the homeless? Aren't there other ‘homes’ or charities that need your attention?”

My answer would always be the same, “Why not the homeless?”

Unlike those other homes, these people have no home. Yes, they are orphans, abused women and the elderly on the streets; there are even families and people just like you and me.

As my team back home hit the streets several hours ago, not just to feed the homeless but simply to be friends with nearly 200 volunteers, I myself am flying solo, having just returned from my street feeding here in Rome.

It was a very powerful night personally. I’ve been reaching out to the homeless, particularly during my travels, but this was different. For the sake of this story, let me sum up the whole encounter with just one person named Alberto.

Alberto, who has been homeless for 22 years, shared his hopes and his dreams, but more importantly, an insight I wanted to know more about. He sleeps just off to the right colonnade of St. Peter’s Square. In the glow of the Basilica, I sat down to talk, but mostly to listen. With my broken Italian and the help of Google translate, we communicated very well. He told me how there were 200 homeless just within the area surrounding the largest church in the world (St. Peter’s) and another 9,000 in the greater part of the city of Rome. Four thousand of which are Romans, with the other 5000 from neighbouring cities and countries. What was eye opening to me was how similar it is back home. Alberto works as a hotel receptionist in the day and at night huddles on a thin mattress with a thick blanket as tourists parade up and down the area. “Many come to Rome to seek a better future but sometimes, life isn’t what we plan it to be.” He adds how they have to rely on each other as he fondly calls them la famiglia di strada or in English ‘the street family.’ “We only have each other and, we have to look out for one another, as no one else really cares” citing not many groups ( c h u r c h / N G O s ) would help the homeless.

The part that tore me up inside was when he said, “Papa Francesco ( Pope Francis), he is the only one who truly cares about us. Before him the Vatican didn’t care about the homeless.”

There is real concern that after Pope Francis, they will be forgotten and neglected once again. “Papa built showers for us there last September” as he points to the corner. “We even have barbers twice a week to cut hair, the best ones.” As I continued on, like any conversation, towards the end I got the sense of hopefulness for a brighter tomorrow, despite their challenges in life. I shared about the common threads we have between our countries and just before we parted ways, he asked “Why?” Why did I want to know his name or his story? I believe a name is the first step in recognizing the humanity in someone. They become more than a social cause, a real person who is somebody. I told Alberto to know one’s story is to be blessed by their presence and the life they had lived. I told him that that’s what my organization does, to see beyond the mere act of just helping others, to be empowered by it as well and to be better human beings in that process. As we said our goodbyes and wished each other well, it took me a while to absorb the fact that I was not in KL, this was Rome! We may be miles apart but very similar in many ways - the homeless who sleep under bridges by the Tiber River have the same aspirations as those who sleep by the Klang River. It is within our humanity that love can triumph all; we have to do more, let it be today! I want to end this quick update of my journey so far with two quotes from my Instagram friends: “The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer” – Gandhi. “You and I must make a pact, We must bring salvation back, Where there is love, I’ll be there.” -- MJ