Doing a litte good
Had an interesting experience today. One of my friends invited me to come with him to give out water bottles/charity to the guys selling newspapers at the traffic lights.
The experience was great, we drove around on C-Ring road for about 20 minutes and found about 5 guys still selling papers around 7PM to whom we gave 10QR each and then 100QR to some other guys whom seemed not in good health. Normally you'll see the same guys from morning till evening in the blistering heat. His family (wife, daughter 9, son 6) does this on a regular basis so they keep the spirit alive.
I would encourage all who have the means, to do this every now and then. We are getting a lot from this society and generally are giving very little back, especially to the workers and labourers who are doing the hardwork nobody else would in an environment which is close to inhumane.
So if you're in the mood, keep a buch of 10QR bills in your car and just hand them off to these guys, it wont make a difference on your bank balance but for sure will make somebody's day a little better.
If anybody has been doing some sort of social work in this city, it would be great if you shared your experience. It would for sure encourage the rest of us to step up and contribute to this society.
Whenever you have old sunglasses... caps, headsquares of cotton, and umberellas for shade... these can be passed out of the window to any passing worker, who will be most grateful. As well as the odd T-shirt and shoes. Even if they don't fit, they will be able to use them or will pass them on. Small bags of goods only though, as these guys can't handle large black bin bags being thrust at them !!
Angel
Congratulations on your good will and generous spirit moeed! you are indeed correct, there are hundreds of labourers who are in dire need of assistance in this city. all one has to do is check the archives of the gulf-times and you can come across dozens of articles outlining the various abuses that these men have had to endure. They are underpaid, live in unsanitary conditions, have little or no access to health care even in emergency situations. There have even been cases of water and electricity to labour camps being cut off, food not being provided, wages not being paid even up to six months or more.
It seems that the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission and the valiant efforts of concerned embassies and local expatriate groups has helped improve the conditions of many of these labourers, but much still needs to be done. A wonderful woman I have just met said "One person cannot change everything but we can all do something". The most immediate assistance that we can provide is, as you have done, give out something from your car to those who need it. Cash is only one option, more necessary even perhaps are shoes, shirts, socks, hats, and sunglasses to help protect those who work in extreme conditions. You can also give out water, or electrolyte drinks to those who seem to be dehydrated or even just plain thirsty. If you have more to give, but like the most of us do not know how to forward it, contact the Embassies of India, Nepal or Pakistan and ask for the contact information of the civic organizations who assist these labourers. There are organized medical missions, deportation funds, emergency funds and food funds which could centainly benefit from donations.
Most importantly, help other people become aware. The more there are helping others, the less hardship there will be.
There is a small group of women who have started to research how best to assist these poor labourers, if you would like to get involved please email [email protected] or [email protected].
I used to do something like that with the old man selling newspapers at the Ramada signal (as you're coming from Al Sadd). I got into the habit of buying something and giving him an extra 5 or 10 Riyals, at other times just giving him money without buying anything.
He got used to it and when he'd see my car at the lights would come over and decide he wasn't going to even try to give me back any change for a purchase or he'd just stand there smiling waiting for me to give him his dues.
So I cut the habit and what I occasionally do now is hand these guys a bottle of water if I have it or let them keep 2 or 3 Riyals out of the 5.
Thank you for your inspiring story. It makes me always so happy to see that there is people out there who care for others.
God bless you
Moeed,
that is very touching, good to know there are good considerate people in Qatar.
Couldn't agree with you more.
God bless you all.
Angelo