A change of focus needed

The idea behind the ‘Wall of Kindness’ took root in Iran and last year and spread across neighbouring countries like Pakistan, India, and China. What started out as a designated spot with a few installed hooks and hangers on a wall, next to the words: ‘If you don't need it, leave it, if you need it, take it.’ This activity became perennial: people would leave their unwanted items which others less fortunate could make use of. In Pakistan, these ‘Walls of Kindness’ soon turned into a manned platform for charitable initiatives in many instances, attracting donations of clothes; household items and rations. Many people in Pakistan adopted the idea and these ‘walls’ had sprung up around the country, while their number increased during the holy month of Ramadan.

Probably because they have to be managed by volunteers - these ‘walls’ appear to have dwindled; have been done away with altogether, or they have lost their novelty and are not in the news anymore, so it was a pleasant surprise to see one such ‘wall’ keeping up the activity throughout the month of Ramadan in Lalazar, Rawalpindi. Initiated last year by a dedicated social worker - a retired owner/principal of the school where it is located - and ably assisted by young people living in the locality - this ‘wall’ has distributed rations to hundreds of people after tirelessly collecting donations. The contributions pour in from passersby as a young volunteer runs around with donation box in hand, while a large amount has been collected from philanthropists who have generously supported this cause. In addition to providing rations, this time an occasional Iftari has also been served to taxi and rickshaw drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and whoever wished to join the repast.

But, after all is said and done, are all the people availing of this generosity really the ones who deserve it? Mainly women, observing them waiting near the wall was a lesson in human behaviour and how greed gets the better of us. Some of them were quite well dressed and wore artificial jewellery; had shoes on their feet; their children were dressed decently and very few of them looked as if they went hungry – they were, on the whole, fairly healthy looking. Yet many fight and squabble over the goodies; push the infirm out of the way and come back daily to get another lot of ration, if they can get away with it – and they used to, until the volunteers resorted to using Excel to keep a track of the recipients through their ID cards. The volunteers - who carried out this exercise despite gruelling hot weather, besides dealing with the fighting, squabbling and unreasonable demands - need to be appreciated for a job well done.

But next year they should shift their focus. The really deserving are those who have no house to live in; their clothes are ragged; their children are half naked and all of them do not have enough to eat. More on this neglected section