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Salvation

| October 13, 2009

When walking along the downtown street, do you hear the guys playing instruments in some corners? Or do you notice the guys who are swiftly washing the windshields of cars waiting for the traffic lights when passing by a cross junction? They are homeless people living in cosmopolitan Sydney.

On the basis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) studies, the number of homeless people identified at the 2006 census was 105,000. This means almost 20 Sydney Opera Houses are needed to hold this number of people. Among them were 12,000 children who were sleeping without secure places on any given night.

Are they bearing people’s freezing glares and burning comments? Or are they receiving care and attention from their fellow countryman? Or they may have already been marginalised.

The experience of going to the Salvation Army centre in Sydney helped me learn more.

The Salvation Army Center, located at 339 Crown Street in Surry Hills, actually is an ugly building. When I arrive, I am scared by those terrible-looking people waiting outside the door. Occasionally, when they walk by me, I feel an involuntary spasm of fear. I quickly move a few steps backward to avoid any possible contact.

I am especially frightened by one woman who wears an old-fashioned skirt and a low-quality hairpin with a piece of pink ribbon in her hair. While wearing heavy make up, she looks over 60 years old though. Then with a blanket, as an overcoat, she wraps herself up. My common clothing is conspicuous among the crowd and I feel ill at ease.

I don’t know how to communicate with them and forget all the questions I have prepared. I know I have to pretend not to be afraid, so I face them smiling and nodding, my heart beating fast. When the door opens, I cautiously follow them upstairs.

After passing through a narrow dim staircase, we arrive at a door on the second floor. I am received like anyone else by an old man with a warm handshake and a friendly “welcome”. With a band singing, everybody feels free. I am told the band members are all volunteers and some are themselves homeless.

One volunteer, a man in his 50s, asks me to have something to eat and drink but I refuse, ashamed to take the food meant for the homeless. Apparently unhappy with my refusal, he persists and I begin to relax. When I accept, I find joy on people’s faces and a spark in their eyes.

Richard is originally from China but is studying in Australia and volunteers at the Salvation Army Centre. He seems envious of the attention and care the homeless receive from the Commonwealth government as he tells me about a whole village in China where they are forced to beg for food every winter.

Richard explains that he volunteers in order to “learn more about local cultures and engage with the Australian society”. But, he is disappointed by some of the motives of fellow volunteers.
He says, “Young volunteers come mainly for their own purposes: high school students earning credits and some are forced to come by the police because they committed a crime and this is the punishment.”
Richard tells me he will probably not be back again because his assignments are coming. But, he really enjoys the life here and appreciates the rest time.
While I am standing there drinking my tea, Kevin, a middle-aged homeless man from Papua New Guinea, approaches me. He asks me questions, just like a friend. I am surprised that he is so open. He is not disconcerted when told I am a reporter. He tells me he comes here every Friday evening and has done so for several years.
“In this place, we know each other and get sense of belonging here. We found ourselves valuable, important. But I am rejected, always rejected when talk to others – somewhere else.” He emphasises the word “always” and says. “I get hope, encouragement and support in here.” He seems so satisfied while he says this.
Unexpectedly, our conversation is interrupted by Nicola. It is she whose attire scared me in the street. She has heard I am new here and would like to talk to me. Nicola is from New Zealand but has been in Australia for three decades. She has come to the Salvation Army Center every Friday for the past five years.
She says she makes herself up every time when comes here since this is the only place she can enjoy herself. Her eyes seem soft and sensitive as she carries on the stories about her life, “I like dancing. I dance for 50 years. I’m 71 years old, I was born in 1936.” A mathematical discrepancy I overlook.
But she is just like an amiable grandma telling stories she experienced to her grandson. At the moment, all my fear is gone. I even want to hug her and tell her “I love you”. I don’t know why.
That evening taught me that what the homeless really need is not only practical assistance, food and shelter, but respect and encouragement; things we take for granted.
Tian Weiwei is an experienced teacher in New Oriental Overseas. He worked at New Oriental Education & Technology Group before moving to Australia. Tian Weiwei holds a Bachelor Degree in Business English from Jiangxi Normal University and is currently studying for a Master degree in Media Practice in the University of Sydney.
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