Madam – Every week in the paper I see initiatives that are being run by businesses or even private persons where they are collecting water for towns around Newcastle which are suffering from the drought.
I wonder if people know just how badly this affects the economy, and not just individual people and families who have to suffer when the water goes off.
Because of the lack of decent rains, the dams are drying up and cattle and other livestock are dying. Farmers are then forced to push up the prices of things we consider basic to our needs, like maize and grain. This in turn will have a domino affect on the prize of meat, bread, milk, cheese, wheat and more.
So, in essence, while the prices are all going up, salaries are staying the same and even dropping thanks to an economy that is suffering from a lack of employment opportunities. Some businesses are being forced to close their doors because they cannot afford to stay open anymore with the crippling prices.
They in turn have to let go of skilled and unskilled workers, who find it so difficult to find jobs in this unstable country.
While I, along with the rest of Newcastle, applaud the people that are committed to helping our neighbours during this crisis, I want everyone to spare a thought to those that are suffering closer to home.
How many times have you walked past a person with no food or water and thought it was someone elses problem? How often do you bemoan the fact that people that are unemployed must be lazy?
Instead of complaining, please try making a positive difference. Even one tiny act of kindness will go a long way, much like the domino affect of not having water.
Human of Newcastle
