“Don’t step on it, it’s my place to sleep”

“Home is where the heart is”

Picture by ~BlackJack0919 of deviantart.com

(http://blackjack0919.deviantart.com/art/Home-285744271)

Last two weeks, I joined a meaningful one night “Homeless Outreach” at Jalan Tun Abdul Razak (TAR) organized by IIUM’s Journalism Club (JC).

There, IIUM students had the chance to socialize and mingle with over 60 homeless people breaking the ice barrier between them. Myself included.

It was a golden opportunity for me to understand other people who were born and bred as homeless people living in the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

I would like to share two stories of the night.

Angelina Amir

From left: Saifullah, Angelina Amir and me

It was a big crowd, IIUM students as well as homeless people blended well together. Their smiles and laughter lighted up the night. Two different groups of people from two different worlds merged into one. No one was awkward to greet the other.

I sat there while talking to the people around me, making jokes, laughing and changing stories. I hopped from one place to another. My mission was to know each and everyone there.

As I was walking in the crowd, my focus was walking forward so I wasn’t aware of what I’d step on. Eventually, I accidently stepped on a cardboard box lying on the ground.

Suddenly Angelina Amir, 60 year old woman said to me “Sorry, don’t step on it, it’s my place to sleep.”

“What was I thinking!?” I said to myself. I kept on cursing myself for what I’ve done. Embarrassed by the moment, I spent the next 10 minutes seeking her apology.

That was the most awkward moment of my life and I will never forget this.

Puteri Natalia Fatihah

Me holding Fatihah

I was sceptical before this. I have this stereotype that homeless people are sad and unhappy with their lives. But happiness is something subjective. It is not objective. Living in a household may not be the reason why a family is happy.

A homeless family eating snails together as a family by the river is happier compared to a child eating Chicken Chop alone at home when his parents are busy with office work neglecting his right to be loved as a son.

Looking at Puteri Natalia Fatihah and her family, all those negative perception vanished. Fatihah is a 3 year old cute baby girl. She is second in her family of three daughters. She seemed very happy like any other three year old despite living in the streets. She loves to be played with.

When it was time to go, she cried. I almost cried.

Homeless people are not inferior and homefull are never superior. They can be happier than us and maybe our lives are more miserable than them.

Note to thyself

What happens to water if it stops flowing? Water stagnation will occur. The stagnant water will not be clean and is hazardous to the environment. Stagnation in this context is equivalent to dirtiness.

That is water, what’ll happen to mankind then if they stay stagnant in their own circle without ever trying to understand the circle of others? The same thing will happen, mankind will be corrupted.

Go out from your comfort zone and understand the pain and suffering of others. Go out from your “circle” of people once in a while and understand the people of other “circles”.

You will appreciate life more.