LET US START a NATIONAL MOVEMENT “NO TO HOMELESSNESS”
TO ALL AUSTRALIANS, especially those of prominence
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am an Australian citizen who is tired of the fruitless efforts of many governments and charity organizations to solve the ever growing problem of homelessness in this country. There are more than 110,000 homeless people in Australia. Those are not the new immigrants, Sudanese, Chinese or Arab. They receive fat grants and new homes. Those are mainly Australians. They are the neglected thousands. It is a grate shame. For no human being should be deprived of food and shelter, no matter of the circumstances. No human being should be sleeping under bridges and in the open – night after night, year after year. Australia is one of the fortunate countries and never should allow a problem huge like this to occur under its sky. We all are responsible. We all know that we together can resolve the issue in no time.
There are more than 5,000,000 Catholics in Australia and many more belonging to other Christian churches. Among them there are architects, builders, labourers, plumbers, constructors, engineers who can donate the plans for the shelters and the buildings. The counsellors can provide the land in many suburbs for the erection of the buildings. If any Christian donates $10- $20 and also some voluntary work – that will be a good start. But there are millions of good people outside of the churches. They also will gladly donate money and work. Because everyone feels appalled by this stigma of our society.
There is a screaming need for a new approach to charity. So far charity organisations are in the habit of paying salaries to themselves, spend on offices and useless expensive advertising, pamphlets, brochures. And only a small portion of the donated money go to the very subject for which they came to existence. On top of that charity organisations return useless unwanted gifts to the donors. That deters the people and they do not wish to donate, seeing how the money is wasted. There are people out there who are willing to work devotedly and give the example of what charity really should be. There are people who will work without salary and office. There are good citizens out there who will make sure that every donated dollar will be used for the purpose of erasing the homelessness in this country.
There is a need for a new approach to the accommodations for the homeless. Homeless people do not need luxury. I believe that they can be provided with individual cells (containing shower and toilet) in high rising buildings – made from no flammable materials (like concrete), aluminium window frames, steel doors. All they need is a safe roof over their head, which will cost them nothing. The homeless people have huge problems, most of them are sick. They live in the open because they cannot manage their money and so they cannot pay rent. Once they are accommodated safely then we can start providing them with donated assistance to help them stand on their feet.
It is amazing how quickly the governments respond to natural disasters stricken regions, providing shelters, tents, temporary accommodations. Why they cannot do that for the homeless? This country has the resources to solve the problem. It is not so hard to provide caravan parks, portable units, villages, even tent shelters for the homeless. There is so much huge ground floor office space, which can be converted to temporary shelters. The roofs of many high buildings in the city also can be effectively used. Use your imagination and you too will agree. I don’t know how the politicians can sleep at night in their comfortable beds knowing that there are over 110,000 people of this country sleeping in the open! And that is applicable to you and me. Have you ever slept on the street? Please, show compassion.
To save time and resources I am sending this letter to your church and organization hoping that you will make it available to all people around and the congregation learn about this project. Churches have great experience in leading people, which can be successfully used to unite the Australians behind this idea.
I appeal to you to take part in solving the problem of homelessness in Australia. Let all people of prominence give a voice to the project and support it. Let television broadcasters advertise it. Let all Australians hold hands and donate generously, as well as donate skills and time.
So far I am only the initiator of the project. The rest is up to the Australians. Please come along, let us join hands.
You can contact me on marcia. zdravka@yahoo.com.au
Marcia Malinova-Anthony – writer, artist, former university tutor.
PO Box 1152 Broadbeach 4218, QLD