Homeless shelters to offer hope to people living on street
People become homeless for many reasons from health & mental problems to problems at home with family members or just not wanting to be a burden to anyone.
People become homeless for many reasons from health & mental problems to problems at home with family members or just not wanting to be a burden to anyone.
THE HOMELESS
Homeless shelters to offer hope to people living on street
Ministry ups bid to turn around social problems
6/03/2017
Penchan Charoensuthipan
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has been instructed to help homeless people and beggars.
Tangible results expected within seven days.
Homeless people, ever present on the streets of Bangkok, do not get media coverage very often but when they do, their stories are often quite revealing (read story from two years ago here).
THE STORY OF ONE HOMELESS MAN
Mr Nueng, who was once a worker in an auto parts factory became disabled following years of heavy drinking.
His muscles became weak until he could no longer work, forcing him to quit his job.
The he decided to leave home to avoid being a burden to his younger brother, who also had to take care of his own family.
Mr Nueng moved to live under Rama VIII Bridge because it has a large space on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, where he could take a bath.
"I slept under a Bodhi tree every day with food and water provided by Thais and foreigners who were kind to the underprivileged," Mr Nueng said, noting he also earns money from the state sponsored disability allowance.
GETTING A NEW START AT A HOMELESS SHELTER
After living under Rama VIII Bridge for more than eight years, a 54-year-old disabled man grasped the chance for a new start in life.
He walked with crutches to a vehicle that would take him to a state-run homeless shelter where he was promised food, basic necessities and health care.
"I do not want to be a burden to others," said Mr Nueng (real name withheld).
"I did not beg from others. This does not mean I am arrogant. But if people mercifully give something to me, I have to accept it and thank them for their kindness."
Mr Nueng was taken in a vehicle arranged by officials to Ban Mit Maitree, a temporary shelter for the homeless organised by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, in the Din Daeng area.
He was among scores of homeless people for whom the ministry's officials recently provided assistance.
MANY REASONS WHY PEOPLE END UP HOMELESS
Earlier, the Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Feb 24 instructed government ministries and agencies to help homeless people and beggars.
Surasak Kanthaponsiri, head of the team responsible for helping homeless people and beggars, said people have different reasons why they became homeless.
Some homeless people have relatives and family members, but have problems at home (domestic problems) that led to them leaving home to live on the streets.
Many were found to have suffered from health problems or psychological disorders.
Many left home as they did not want to be a burden to anyone.
Others are ashamed of their unsuccessful lives.
SEEK TO EARN SOME MONEY IN VARIOUS WAYS
They seek earnings in various ways, including collecting plastic bottles and containers.
Others sell water or sheets for sitting on in the park as well as helping in restaurants.
Homeless people are said to know where they could go to have a meal or seek help when falling ill.
Apart from providing basic assistance to the homeless and beggars, the ministry is trying to come up with programs to help them into proper jobs.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1209453/shelters-offer-hope-to-the-homeless
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