It’s sad to see how the streets of Amman are not becoming as safe as they used to be, especially for girls.

Luckily that boy didn’t damage your car. I’ve been witness to that taking place after someone refused to buy something from those who would roam through cars lined up at the traffic lights.

The last paragraph says it all. There is a much longer gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” from years past. Big bucks being thrown around like the world is coming to an end. The resiliency of the poor has always impressed me and not just in Jordan but worldwide including Palestine, most African nations, the far east. But the desperation in some certainly has reached an all time high where crime is seen as the only alternative. I remember hearing stories from my parents where the houses were never locked, small children would walk in the streets alone and Jordan was relatively a safe to live. Now we have murders for a few grams of gold, robberies for a couple dinars, friends killing one another over small debts, and people so desperate they are selling their organs.

Unfortunately, this poverty problem is bigger than any one person, or even hundreds of people, but I think we can each do our own little things to help. If we can help one person/family then it is certainly worth it. Why not sponsor a family to “care” for their needs. Not all of them, but whatever you can afford to do. Not to toot my own horn, but usually I will forgo something and instead use that money to help someone in need. For example, I say to myself “I really don’t need that DVD” this money could be used in better ways. Maybe I will bring my lunch to work rather than eating out. And so on and so forth. I have a little box in my room that I collect all that unspent money in. In a year I’m able to collect several hundred dollars. Besides the money taken out of my pay to United Way for my local community, this money I save goes with me to Jordan. Every year I do something different with it. One of my favorite things is buying sheep and distributing the meat. Another time I just gave out money 20 to each family. And everyone knows who the poor are in their neighborhoods, you just ask. Some are not so willing to take an offering so you just have to accept that. I was hurt one time an old man refused to take the bag from my hand. I guess his pride got the better of him. Another year I gave money to a relative who was a teacher to buy supplies for those students whose family couldn’t afford them. It really doesn’t have to be about just giving money. You could give your time and skills by volunteering to certain causes and organizations that help bridge the gap and build understanding.

wallah bedha

No1,

Believe me, if I felt this was right at the time, I would have done it … but these kids belong to gangs, the minute you show affection they will jump you for more and the minute you show aggression, they will jump you to hurt you … so you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t

I wish it was desperation look as you say … but I guess I can tell the difference between being desperate and being ruthless …

You would have made a difference for you and him. Your fears would have been slightly alleviated and his desperation would’ve been temporarily relieved. You asked for a suggestion and I gave you one.