Hunger Knows No Barriers is a statement from the Kechara Soup Kitchen. It stands true in all aspects of the word.
Shane and I had been given tours of this organization and it’s religious background since our last introduction to Kechara (see post). We’ve met with key people in the organization and discussed collaborations. Tonight we joined another team to a different part of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
It is past 11 in the night and the city is half asleep but never really going into a deep slumber. People are still dining out in 24 hours restaurants, some are families with young children, others are friends enjoying time together in brief respite from the heat of the day. A few sit alone wolfing down their suppers before heading home from work. Then there are people standing on the streets, alone or in small groups of two or three. On more deserted streets, people bundled up and sleep along the corridors of shops.
Our group of volunteers head to spots known to ‘house’ the homeless in Kuala Lumpur. The leaders of the group check on the ‘regulars’ to make sure they are alright.
We distribute food and chat with them. Some feel so happy that Shane, a foreigner from the United States takes the time to help. They want to know more; where he comes from and if he was married. 😀 For that short period of time there, people are just hanging out, getting to know one another, laughing and sharing jokes. The Kechara Soup Kitchen statement ‘Hunger Knows No Barriers’ brought these people together. There are no barriers to race, age and religion when you are hungry.
Below is a gallery of photos from tonight’s work.
The top reasons for homelessness in Malaysia include unemployment, low income and domestic violence.
The majority of the homeless in Malaysia are foreign members of the workforce. They do not have access to a sustainable source of income to afford a place to live. The house is mostly in a deplorable state with many roommates if they are provided a place to live. Many are victims of human trafficking. The homeless community is often targeted by employers seeking to exploit them by paying below minimum wage.
This group of homeless people are victims of their circumstances and do not live on the streets by choice. The media has made several documentaries highlighting their plights and to educate the local communities so they can change their perspectives on homelessness. It is still a working progress.
Watch: RAGE How migrant construction worker are forced to live in Malaysia.