I recently learned of the passing of a homeless gentleman who I had become familiar with through my tenure as member of the Tek it to Dem Homeless Outreach Project run by the National Council on Drug Abuse.

Teddy, like so many others of the homeless population, suffered from a chronic illness, which had been undiagnosed and untreated for some time. This disease quickly led to his blindness and even more quickly his death. I will leave the story of his incomplete and insufficient medical treatment and my tirade on the public health system for another time.

Teddy’s passing has caused me to reflect on the plight of the homeless. During my work on the streets of Kingston and St Catherine I came across an array of personalities with needs ranging from mental to physical and financial. I met former teachers, nurses and entertainers who ended up homeless due to drug use, property loss (fire, hurricane), or hard times. Despite the reason for their homelessness, there are more than 1,000 homeless people across Jamaica with the majority being in Kingston and St Andrew.

My question is: Who will cry for them, who will cry for Teddy? I wonder to myself where Teddy’s family would be and if they know of his passing? I wonder who will cry for the homeless who sleep on the street, who wipe windscreens, who wash cars, who go hungry for days? Are we, as Jamaicans, crying for our fellow family members who have fallen by the figurative wayside?

Though “times rough”, the majority of us who are able to read this are fortunate enough to sleep in a bed with a roof over our heads, although the bed may creak and the roof may leak. But who will cry for the ones without a bed, without a roof, without a voice? Is the Government doing enough? I will leave that question to answer itself.

Applause to the many NGO’s and faith-based groups who tend to the homeless in whatever way, because, speaking from experience, it is not an easy job. But are we as ordinary Jamaicans doing enough for each other? Are we seeking to ensure that, though the various needs are great, social needs are being met to some degree? Are we doing enough to hold the powers that be accountable? Is there more we can do as a people, for ourselves, and for each other, to ensure that the plight of Teddy doesn’t happen to us? Is there more we can do for those less fortunate than us to better their situation, if even for a minute?

Let us realise that in our respective “hard life” there is always someone who is worse off. Let us be grateful, because once there is life there is hope. But who will cry for Teddy?

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