2014 Issam Kassabieh

My name is Issam Kassabieh, I  am a 22 year old Lebanese student studying Finance and Accounting at the Canadian University of Dubai. I chose to participate in the “5 Days for the Homeless” campaign for the second time because it was an eye opening experience that changed the way I see the world today. The first time I did this, I only appreciated the experience once I saw the outcome and how it positively changed people’s lives; however, now I already know the positive change my friends and I are capable  of  setting  in  motion  even  before  we  begin  which  will  make  it enjoyable and full of purpose. I hope by doing this others come to realize that although we are the cause of others’ problems, we could definitely be part of the solution. Homelessness is still misunderstood and still not taken as seriously as it should be, our aim is to change that!

Day 1

It was a hot and humid day, we could barely sit outside in the blazing sun. I couldn't think of a better alternative to raise the money though especially that it was a very quiet day around university.  As the day passed my most challenging obstacle was exhaustion; first day and I felt my eyes burning, I had to sleep, yet I had nowhere to go and rest during the day. As the night approached and we set up our sleeping area, the weather got damp and cold and a while after that we had no choice but to give in to our tired bodies. Sounds dramatic.. if you remove the act that we arr students and that this isn't permanent. Zoom out and imagine how hard it is not having a place to rest your head.

Day 2

Second day was quite long for most of us; I was reminded of how difficult it is to complete my necessary tasks and all what my day demanded of me with so little resources, time and energy. For ever moment I had to spend outside asking for money, thinking if I would get food donations, sleeping on the floor etc.. I would lose will power and the energy needed to focus on my daily tasks as a student and as a person. Homeless people are not "lazy bums" who don't want to work as hard as others do for a living, they could just be people who were kicked to life's curb and could not find the energy or resources to get back up again. After all, we lose ourselves bit by bit because life always wants its share of what we get and who we meet. Bottom line is, I would love to work as hard as everyone else living a normal life at the moment is, but I am simply incapable of doing so because my basic life necessities are in question the entire day.

We got to shoot some videos today; some of us got interviewed, got asked who they were and why they were doing this. I, myself, thought it would be a good idea to write a short song to support the campaign. The song briefly describes what homeless people feel and go through and how people treat them as they pass by.

I wake up in the middle of the night

To find myself living outside

Feels so cold and feels so sad

Really Hungry, This is bad

People passing by, all they do is wave and smile

I don't see this changing much

Please try not to lose touch

Cause I', so homeless

Feeling so hopless

I need a place I call my own