Last week I was reading ‘Silver Darlings’. ‘In 1895, A Northumbrian island welcomes two new residents. Clara and Jimmy are born on the same night to families poles apart…’ Jimmy’s born into a fishing family, joins a Scottish herring crew and sails to Lowestoft…
It’s a story of love, war and misunderstanding, describing poverty, danger, hardship and hunger… whole families sleeping in a single room, working long hours for very little pay… the reality of life for those who fished the North Sea 100+ years ago.
This week I’ve been reading ‘Behind Closed Doors’: ‘Jenny grew up in a house where no one was safe. Born one of five children in the East End, her childhood was spent in squalor and terror. Her father’s violent beatings, humiliations, and sexual abuse were part of daily life…’
Jenny’s is a true story, an autobiography, events that happened in my life time. She’s turned her life round, and has found fulfilment and happiness. Jenny is the mother of celebrated actress Martine McCutcheon…
Yesterday I read about ‘Zaruch’… Assistant headteacher in an inner-city Leeds school, Bex Wilson, often saw hunger and poor living conditions: ‘In 2017, whilst teaching an 11-year old boy, I noticed he wasn’t his usual happy self so I asked if he was feeling tired. His response… ‘Miss, I am always tired. I don’t have a bed.’
Bex got the boy a bed… recognising the wider need, the charity ‘Zarach’ was born. With six bases across the country, Zaruch now provides needy children with a new bed, mattress, bedding and pyjamas – all they need for a good night’s sleep.
Musing… poverty…
…Jimmy the fisherman lived in poverty and poor living conditions, triumphing through love, purpose and determination… but Jimmy was a fictional character in a bygone age.
Jenny shows how an individual today can survive and triumph over personal abuse, suffering and poverty, attaining ultimate happiness.
Bex responded to poverty and hardship… getting involved and making a difference to thousands of families and children.
malcolmsmusings.org 