They are assuming that the western world of today, their world, countries like Britain and America are rich, safe and enlightened so that everybody can have a home and enough money to live happily. I put it to you that this is an extremely naïve and arrogant belief.
There are almost 380,000 people recorded as homeless in the UK today and many more disadvantaged people such as disabled and single parents who are currently unable to work, living off government benefits in poor conditions unable to break out of the poverty trap for fear of losing these benefits.
A lot of people like ourselves are often happy to blame these people misfortunes on their own inability to do a good days work like the rest of us. Once again another extremely arrogant and naïve speculation made by people who have never had to experience poverty in their privileged lives.
Now I recognise that almost all of the poor in the UK are still much better off than the poor in disadvantaged countries but it is my belief that we should seek first to root out and solve the problems in our own country as much as possible before we look to the others in need.
If more money were donated to building shelters for homeless and providing rehabilitation for those in need as a result of drug addiction and alcoholism, then we could greatly reduce the number of homeless people and reinstate those living of benefits as useful and productive members of society then the results would help not only the individuals but the country as a whole.
Money to provide better education in disadvantaged areas will help to give these children a better future than they have at the moment. Not only an academic education but also, equally importantly, education on relevant topics such as the consequences of drug and substance abuse to make them aware of these dangers.
Now I’m aware that all these problems I have just listed are indeed improving and homeless statistics are improving but with the commitment and devotion of society to help fight these problems and reform the individuals. The process will be speeded immensely.
However although money is greatly needed for these charities it is not the only thing, the time other people give to help the aged and do community service is needed urgently.
The idea that charity should start at home means that we should be directly involved with helping and the best place to start this is without a doubt in your own or nearby communities of which you are a part of. Surely this will give you an infinitely larger sense of satisfaction and you will feel so much better to know that you have helped in a way where the effects are visible to you and your community.
Thank you very much for listening.
