Building resilience as the world tries to find a new normal

Whichever city I have stayed in, we have a long way to go, in attaining social equality of any form. We don’t like other races, religions, cultures and any one we deem not matching up to our level or standards. So defining social justice and serving in purpose are absolutely two different things. Majority of the people I asked drew a complete blank, a few went to tell and argue it is only the government’s prerogative, and we individuals can do nothing.

Time and again as the mom of a special needs child I had to struggle, for acknowledgement, services, inclusion and adaptation too. Since she was born, I had to learn my way up, with resources  STILL few and far in between.

Staying here, the one thing that strikes me is, poverty and unemployment has become extremely high…Crime is rampant, and whatever measure the government is taking is not helping at all. People who look for work are so blatantly discouraged that they have stopped looking and wait for the meagre sassa handouts. Poverty is currently being tackled through grants only, which is only for consumption.

Any new investments are almost negligible due to innumerable reasons. I hold charity drives and soup kitchens as and when I can, but I am ashamed every time I do it now. The people here needs jobs for self-respect and dignity, and there is only as much individuals like me or NPO can do.

I hold workshop for reskilling too, but at the end of the day even if I write a perfect cv and get a candidate ready, I know in my heart there are no jobs available.

Social justice can only be attained if we start helping each other, every single one of us…If we chose to grow and survive we cannot be partial to helping only our own AND AS A DEVELOPING NATION,

The total world needs to come together and grow us up. WE are still in our tumultuous teens of development , and to guide us we need strong and developed nations with experience to guide us even if we falter…

Only then will we be truly free and developed.