Homelessness

Homelessness

Put yourself in a position of a homeless person, your feelings, emotions, appearance and how will your life be different? Can you imagine it? It’s terrible. How many of you here have a home? Well, did you know that there are over 34000 under eighteens who are homeless? That’s just under eighteens; in total there are over 100000 people who are homeless. I am here to raise the issue of homelessness. Let me ask you another question, what would you be doing when you are 18? You would probably be getting your licence, travelling around the world or may be even starting your career, but it is different for the homeless. They will continue living on the streets in cardboard boxes, on park benches or in alley ways. Do you believe that’s fair? I don’t think so. They will continue to busk for money putting their bodies up for prostitution just, just, so they could survive the week.

 Homelessness is caused by divorces, domestic violence, financial difficulties and sexual assault. Domestic violence has been reported as the primary cause for homelessness. It’s something that they have no power over; they’re forced to be in that dispossessed position. Most people are fortunate enough never to have to experience homelessness. But for those who do, it can be a very traumatic experience that is hard to escape from, damaging physical and emotional well-being along the way. Homeless children living in overcrowded conditions miss out on the space and privacy they need to play, do homework and sleep properly. Without room to grow, many children become sick or fall behind at school. Many children living in temporary accommodation face long, exhausting journeys to school, and are so fatigued they can’t concentrate in class. Moving into and between temporary accommodation can cause severe disruption to schooling.