Businessman George “Umbala” Joseph, president of the Civil Liberties Union of T&T (CLUTT), broke down in tears yesterday as he promised to continue “to bathe, feed and clothe” the homeless. He said he came from the bowels of poverty and could have easily been one of them.
He said he felt compelled to extend some measure of “good will to the less fortunate” and challenged corporate T&T to show more compassion to those who roamed the streets aimlessly.
Joseph was at the Communication Workers Union (CWU) Hall on Henry Street, Port-of-Spain. The CLUTT hosted a special Independence Day event for the city’s homeless, providing approximately 200 of them with manicures, pedicures, haircuts, baths, fresh clothing and hot meals.
Joseph said he had been providing this service to the street dwellers for the past eight years.
From as early as 6 am the street dwellers, some of whom walked from as far as East Dry River and Riverside Plaza, began assembling at the venue for the event. Some arrived half naked, covered in grime and with matted hair.
Those who were unable to walk to CWU Hall were picked up in five vans and a mini bus.
For breakfast, there was ham or turkey with bread and hot tea, while lunch consisted of pigeon peas, pineapple chicken, ham, potato salad, corn pie, festival rice and fresh salad, topped off with ice cream for dessert.
“It has become a ritual of sorts for the homeless. They look forward to this day because they know they will get a bath, a hair cut, clean clothes and a hot meal … which they seldom experience,” Joseph said.
Joseph, an outspoken and often controversial radio talk show host, displayed a familiarity with many of the vagrants, calling out to some of them by their first names.
“Madame, don’t be ashamed! Go inside, have a bath, change your clothes, get your hair braided, and eat something. Today is your day,” he told one homeless woman who smiled and obliged.
The street dwellers are informed of the event via pamphlets distributed to them days in advance.
Joseph estimated that $50,000 was spent on the day’s event which was attended by Roman Catholic priest Fr Clyde Harvey and Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus, a CLUTT member.
Breakfast and lunch was donated by CEO of Arima Discount Mart, Balliram Maharaj and Rodney’s Supermarket, while boxes and bags of clothes, some of which were new, were provided by a good samaritan from Miami.
Joseph became emotional as he recalled that when he came to Trinidad, 69 years ago, he had no shoes.
“I was just 11 years old. The whole town took charge and cared for me. And today I am a multi millionaire. I own an island in the Grenadines, I have two Rolls Royces. God gave it to me. I have to give back to them. We have a reason to do what we should do for the less fortunate.”
Joseph said taking care of the homeless should not happen once a year, but should be done weekly by corporate T&T.
Admitting that the problem of street dwellers had been ongoing, he added: “It isn’t a problem than cannot be solved. All it takes is heart. Unfortunately, we have a lot of brain and lip but not sufficient heart. This could be done every single Sunday in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Sprawled out on the pavement opposite the CWU, street dweller Patrick Hart heaped praises on Joseph for organising the event
“Just now I going inside to fresh up and eat something. Miss I ain’t go lie, this day is like Christmas for us. We does look forward to this day because you does feel appreciated and accepted in society,” he said.
Bentley Snaggs, who has been living on the streets for five years, said: “I don’t know nothing about the man but he doing more than the Government by helping us. It might only be once a year but it still better than nothing.
“Joseph should be given an Independence award today for his contribution,” said Snaggs.