Imagine a woman in her seventies, poor in eye sight and slow in movement, who still cared for the less fortunate ones among us; and you are thinking of Eva. I was privileged to know her and get to see her heart of gold. When I told her about the homeless man who came to beg, she asked enough questions to determine his one need: a pair of proper crutches. She actually went to talk to her charitable friend who promised the funds for the aluminium aide. I knew of a person who was willing to sell a redundant pair. So the two of us went to pick the crutches up. We were afraid of any untoward incident and decided to meet him in front of a shopping centre. She had the presence of mind to bring a screw driver in her hold all. So we found ourselves adjusting the height of the crutches for the poor man. He was in tears by the time the pair of us helped him up with the crutches.
That was not all. When his feet deteriorated and we found out he owed the hospital money, Eva and I went to see the hospital authorities to plead his case. We were referred to the state social welfare office. The kind officer gave us a letter which canceled his debt after the initial investigation. Can you see a more unlikely threesome? Eva with her orange coloured hair and electric pink dress. Me in my somber wall flower attire. And the homeless man in his rags. Eva drove her trusty little car to my house, I took over and drove to the nearest bus stop. We then took a bus to town and got down in front of the shopping centre. Three of us actually walked and limped quite a distance to that office. You see, we want to help him but we don't trust him to let him into our car. Subsequently he was put on probationary roll for a monthly allowance. Within six months officers visited all his known siblings to gather his case history. Before a year was up he was put on permanent roll for disability welfare stipend. When the officers learned that he had a motor cycle license, they put him on the waiting list for a state provided motor cycle with a side car for handicap folks.
The last time I met him, the homeless man had hope for a better future. He was grateful and told me so. All because Eva, a retired social worker for the blind, did not rest on her laurels. Good work is the other side of the coin of prayer.
*lily pad lotus flower from teachenglishinasia.net
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