By: Rameez Rasool Mir
This first snow in the valley hides a grim reality for thousands of poor families. What is a season of joy for one turns out to be a season of hardship for another. While winter paints the countryside with its pure white cover, it brings in Freezy winds that seep in through the weak walls of small houses to make living every day a fight with nature.
For the rich, crusts mean cozy fires and warm houses full of comforts. On the other hand, poor families know hunger without enough heat or shelter. These silent struggles go unnoticed. It reveals great fortitude in facing adversity.
The purpose of how one writes is to leave the unexpressed pains of winter and to call for the gathering to lessen the pain for the most affected. It would also tell people that quite below the frosty outside of winter is the requirement for sympathy and solidarity.
The Unseen Struggles of Poor Families:
Winter can be lovely, but for many poor families it is a season of suffering and difficulty. This poses various difficulties that make it difficult to survive.
No Proper Heating:
Most families lack firewood and adequate heating systems. Their home becomes freezing cold, and they struggle to stay warm. Others resort to unsafe disposal methods such as burning rubbish, which can lead to health issues. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to falling sick.
Not Enough Warm Clothes:
Winter clothing is an essential need for work and school, but many families are unable to afford it. “Little kids walk outside in thin torn clothes, and the elderly suffer in the cold with no protection. It renders them weak and susceptible to diseases.
Hunger in Cold:
By the decrease of money and loss of jobs, the families become more deprived to buy food in winter. The price surge makes it possible for them to eat only one small meal a day. Children are the most affected because of those needed foods for growth and health.
Lack of Assistance in Medical Emergencies:
In winter, it makes it hard for people to travel to hospitals because of snow and terrible roads. The emergencies, especially in sudden illness cases or childbirth, seem like a death sentence since help never arrives in time. They often do not have the money to pay for treatment once they get to a hospital.
Transforming Winters with Compassion and Care:
Winter often brings rugged bad fortunes to the connected. They are often indelibly rotten as a place in many contexts. Greater empathy and shared experiences seem to stretch toward those who deserve them. Every practical detail in the following has a contribution to make by way of individual communities and organizations.
Contributions to Collection Drives :
Give away some essentials like warm clothing, food, or firewood that can contribute toward family warmth and nutrition through winter periods.
Organization Drives:
Let there be collection drives for blankets or coats in your neighbourhood. Encourage people to donate new or slightly used items to help keep warm those who cannot buy them.
As Donations to NGO Support:
Relate endeavours with NGOs and other non-profit organizations that deal with winter relief effects. Whether financially or materially, this definitely boosts their works.
Outreach Volunteer Activities :
Volunteer to spend some hours, skills, or resources on community efforts toward winter assistance. Each activity counts-whether bringing in supplies or coordinating relief events.
Such significant collaboration and empathy can contribute to making winter easier for those who suffer much in waiting to wrap themselves up. These efforts are urgently demanded through immediate action and kindness to create comfort and expectations for the needy.
In conclusion, while winter blankets the valley in serene beauty, it also unveils harsh realities for many poor families. The struggles of inadequate heating, insufficient clothing, hunger, and lack of medical access emphasize the urgent need for community support and solidarity. By contributing through donations, organizing drives, and volunteering, we can extend warmth and hope to those facing the bitter challenges of winter. Together, we can transform this season of hardship into one of compassion and relief.
The writer is a social worker and poet. rameezmasw@gmail.com.
