I was at the first project downtown that Aymen set up, and it went really well I thought. Its amazing the kind of people you meet there. Literally from all walks of life. Its definitely a reminder that no matter how much schooling, how much work we put in, we could very well end up asking people for sandwiches in the future. We need to remember that every time we go in and help these people out.
Whats funny is that I was not really looking forward to going that week. I had several exams that week, and I was trying to find an excuse to back out of it. But from the moment you walk in, you realize why we were put on God's earth, and what our duty is as fortunate Muslim youth.
Bashir
Monday, November 16, 2009
State News Article on an Increase in Homelessness in Michigan
I've posted an article from Wednesday State news front page. It's about the increase in homelessness in Michigan. If you haven't read it I encourage you all to check it out.
http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/mich_homelessness_rises
"....'The scary thing is this past weekend, it was 29 degrees. No one should be outside and we found some people out there.'
Nada- you had an idea how there is a lack of winter outerwear and how maybe we can start a donation box for hats and gloves and such. Let me know what you all think!
http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/11/mich_homelessness_rises
"....'The scary thing is this past weekend, it was 29 degrees. No one should be outside and we found some people out there.'
Nada- you had an idea how there is a lack of winter outerwear and how maybe we can start a donation box for hats and gloves and such. Let me know what you all think!
Moment of Reflection
Assalaamu Alaykum,
This isn't necessarily an experience from the PD's that I have been to, but it is an interesting hadith to think about when we make charitable efforts such as PD:
The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said:
"When charity (alms) is delivered out of the hand of its owner, it (the thing being given) says five things: 'At first I was perishing and you gave me life; I was insignificant and you made me great; I was an enemy and you turned me into a friend; you used to protect me then but now I will protect you up to the Day of Resurrection'."
- Al-Ithna 'Ashariyyah, p.223
This isn't necessarily an experience from the PD's that I have been to, but it is an interesting hadith to think about when we make charitable efforts such as PD:
The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said:
"When charity (alms) is delivered out of the hand of its owner, it (the thing being given) says five things: 'At first I was perishing and you gave me life; I was insignificant and you made me great; I was an enemy and you turned me into a friend; you used to protect me then but now I will protect you up to the Day of Resurrection'."
- Al-Ithna 'Ashariyyah, p.223
PD from October 30th
Last PD I talked to two ladies; Alicia and Beverly. Here's what they had to say:
Beverly is a retired african american woman that has been living in the shelter since last December. She's been looking for an apartment with cheap rent but usually settles with hotels. She told me she worked at the correctional facility and a hospital before. What fascinates me is that she mentioned that she enrolled into Wayne State University in 1972. For whatever reason, she didnt really mention why, she graduated in 2003 in anthropology and sociology. She pulled out a picture of her graduation with a note on the back from her daughter. I asked her if she has any children and she said, "No. Well, none that are actually living anymore."
Alicia is another african american woman that recently resorted to a homeless shelter. Due to lack of funds she had been evicted from her apartment. She's looking for work and I asked her what type of job she'd like to have and she responded, clerical. She told me she has two sons that live in Lansing; one is 27 and the other is 21. I asked her what she thought of the shelter and it was apparent that she highly dislikes it. She looked really depressed...
Something to think about and hopefully build off to come up with something that can better their lives....
Hopefully, I'll hear from all of you soon.
Salam
Ayman
Beverly is a retired african american woman that has been living in the shelter since last December. She's been looking for an apartment with cheap rent but usually settles with hotels. She told me she worked at the correctional facility and a hospital before. What fascinates me is that she mentioned that she enrolled into Wayne State University in 1972. For whatever reason, she didnt really mention why, she graduated in 2003 in anthropology and sociology. She pulled out a picture of her graduation with a note on the back from her daughter. I asked her if she has any children and she said, "No. Well, none that are actually living anymore."
Alicia is another african american woman that recently resorted to a homeless shelter. Due to lack of funds she had been evicted from her apartment. She's looking for work and I asked her what type of job she'd like to have and she responded, clerical. She told me she has two sons that live in Lansing; one is 27 and the other is 21. I asked her what she thought of the shelter and it was apparent that she highly dislikes it. She looked really depressed...
Something to think about and hopefully build off to come up with something that can better their lives....
Hopefully, I'll hear from all of you soon.
Salam
Ayman
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