Hello everyone, it’s John Chiko yet again, and today I want to say Thank You All Volunteers who give their time and energy volunteering for organisations that deliver social change, in celebration of World Day of Social Justice. Without volunteers, this world would be a lot colder. Without you, many voices would go unheard, many hearts would remain broken, and many minds would shatter. I really do mean it. I needed help and thankfully people that had the ear to listen and the heart to feel, gave me some of their time and energy to help me with my woes.
The World Day of Social Justice is the best day for me to give my thanks to the amazing people and organisations that helped me past my period with homelessness and the depression that accompanied it. Before I get into that, first, what is World Day of Social Justice? It is an international day that recognises the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protection.
The United Nations General Assembly decided to observe 20th February annually which was approved on the 26th November 2007 and in 2009 was the first World Day of Social Justice . The Declaration focuses on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, fundamental principles, and rights.
This is a perfect day for me to remember the great people and organisations that helped in my darkest time when I had no place to live and when I had no one to talk to. I would first like to thank Irene who worked at YMCA and helped me get my first room through the organisation, in which I stayed in for nine months as that is how long that they had the property before it was sold. She is the one who helped enter the system and begin my first steps out of homelessness.
Secondly, I would like to thank Barrisford, the man that offered me a room – and a sofa to sleep on depending on the circumstances – in his own house, as I had been sleeping in ‘rough sleepers’ Salvation Army on a stretcher in a room with other full of other homeless men. Through him, I was able to have someone to talk to, an ear to listen to me and a surrogate father figure when I was going through issues with my own father.
Of course, I thank Salvation Army, as it is through them that I was able to get my second room at the Gateway, managed by Citizen Housing. Finally, it is through Citizen Housing that I was able to get my council studio flat that I am currently living in and writing this very report.
My experience with homeless, sad and painful as it was, allowed me to meet many great people with big hearts full of love. I met good people that were willing to help, even when they themselves were in pain. These people helped me mature and instilled in me a sense of knowing and responsibility concerning the people and the environment around me. I learnt that it is not enough to live for yourself, for even doing that would be neglecting yourself.
The people and the environment around you affect your health and wellbeing, to neglect them is to neglect those things. It is essential that the world gets more people who have a sense of social responsibility to provide social justice to those that need and deserve it.
Thank you to all that helped me in my darkest hour, for you all helped me in my path towards the light.
Nice1 😊