The Power of a Cup of Tea!

User Rating:  / 1

Students from the CDVEC Adult Education Service from Liberties, Ringsend, Finglas and Cabra.

I live next door to a poverty-stricken family. The mother is hard working and is very anxious. She is a conscientious mother and devotes all her energy to working for her family. She is a deserted mother, her husband left her and the family several years ago. I try to help her by calling into her house every day.

A little while ago I took this a photograph of her, because Mary, that’s one of Anne’s daughters, came home from school and said that her teacher had asked the class to bring in a family photograph. When I got the photo developed I was shocked to see the pain in my neighbour’s face and how worn down she looked.

One day when the children were at school and I knew the baby was napping I went to visit Anne. I found her hard at work as usual. I said, “Sit down, and we will have a little chat over a cup of tea. And I’m making it.” She was reluctant to stop because she had so much to do. But I insisted. I made the tea and we talked.

Ann sat back and sighed, “That’s the first cup of tea that’s been handed to me in ten years”.

It Could Be Me!

User Rating:  / 2

Students from the CDVEC Adult Education Service from Liberties, Ringsend, Finglas and Cabra.

I was walking in O’Connell St and I saw two homeless guys. One was asleep and the other was out of his head. They both had begging bowls. There’s the dilemma-should I give money or not?

Sometimes I think it is gone beyond a joke, because I ‘m not giving money for drink or drugs. I work hard to earn a living. At the same time, I always give money when I can. I ask the people their name, where they’re from and form a relationship with the person who is begging.

We all belong to the human race, it’s them today and it could be me tomorrow.