taniayong

More than 15,000 people in the Washington metropolitan area are homeless. [. . .] Nearly half are families, more than a third a children.

Having been in DC for almost a month now has opened my eyes to so much. The beauty and history of the area astounds me. I am in awe every day. Walking through the halls of Congress (and underneath!), past the Supreme Court building, and reading inside the Library of Congress almost feels surreal.
Aside from the beauty and the power in this city, there is such desparation. Every busride, walk down the street where I live, and look outside of my apartment window illustrates this desparation and great need. I actually live in one of the nicer areas in the metropolitan area.

What can I do? A college student with limited funds, a normal individual with limited time, a human being with limited selflessness?

These thoughts have been culminating since I've been here. What do I do? How is it that I am so selfish? How is it that I can simply pass by an individual in desparate need of food? How is it that I have slowly hardened my heart toward my fellow human beings?

While the impoverished in DC have immediately caught my attention, there are so many more in much more need abroad. While some may argue that those that are homeless in the U.S. are at fault for their condition, there is no argument like this that can be made for those living in Asia or Africa. Am I, as a fellow human being, to disregard their needs? What can I do? How can I be used?

My heart hurts.