Homelessness in most instances is not a choice. Due to circumstances, normally beyond their control, people become homeless by the disadvantages of poverty, neglect, abuse, unemployment, substance abuse, health complications, disability and mental illness.
Issues surrounding homelessness are varied. How do we help the homeless people? We can provide food, shelter, medication, etc.. and we will be providing sleeping bags to keep the homeless in Western Australia warm.
The Rotary clubs of Perth and Swan Districts and the not-for-profit organisation Stitches of Hope have joined forces to ensure that hundreds of Perth’s homeless people can look forward to a warmer winter this year.
Homeless people have almost no choice, their shelters are either on the sidewalk, a park bench or any other public place. In shelters the homeless will be provided a bed and some blankets, which leaves the others to miss out and are forced to sleep out in the open. in this case, a sleeping bag can make a huge difference, especially in winter to stay warm. A sleeping bag is the only protection that a homeless person have against the winter elements.
500 sleeping bags are currently being manufactured at a Cambodian sewing centre and will be shipped to Perth and distributed to the homeless in Western Australia before winter this year.
The project not only creates employment opportunities for Cambodians living in poverty, but will help keep our homeless population warmer during the cold winter months. It’s very rewarding to see The Sleeping Bag Project benefiting many people in two countries who desperately need help.
The Rotary Clubs of Perth and Swan Districts with Stitches of Hope have been tackling the plight of homelessness in Western Australia which includes a number of projects such as Path of Hope (tackling domestic violence) and Passages (accommodation and assistance for homeless youth).