POVERTY

CHARITIES TAKE OVER SOCIAL SERVICES

By Tomás Rodríguez Muñóz 1º Bac B.                                       

Cáritas Diocesana is a Catholic relief charity that helps the poor. Its chapter in the Canary Islands, consisting of 1,205 volunteers, stands out as one of the most recognizable local non-government organizations, which are filling the welfare void left behind by an system of public social services. In 2012, Cáritas assisted over 46,000 people in the Canaries in providing them with shelter, food and medicines, among other provisions.

Besides having little or no knowledge about where or how to ask for assistance, the islands’ ‘new poor’ are also unwilling to come forward because they feel ashamed of their situation, as well as fearful of the potential consequences of telling social workers about their financial troubles. 

“Not having a job makes them feel like social outcasts. They feel less worthy” says Henríquez, “but they are also scared to ask for help, because they think that by exposing their poverty to social services they might have their children taken away by the government.” 

By the time these once middle-class income families knock on Cáritas’ door, they are in a truly desperate state.

“Just a few days ago,” Campos Pineda recounts, “in a nearby school, a child fainted. When asked what was wrong with him, the child said that it was his brother’s turn to eat.”

Besides distributing food, the Red Cross is helping impoverished Canarian residents with ‘school kits’ containing notebooks and pencils, soap and personal care items, food vouchers, shelter for the homeless, and even money to pay water and electricity bills. “If there is need, we are there,” states Campos Pineda.

DON'T YOU THINK SOMETHING COULD BE DONE TO HELP THEM?

We are going to school with these children who sometimes haven't had breakfast, and they are suffering most of the time in silence.

LET'S DO SOMETHING NOW!