18/11/2019
这一个组织，我叫他们作天使社群，也只有天使才会做这样的事了。他们自愿自发的为贫困，老无所依，露宿，流浪群体提供温饱，默默无名的做着很多人根本不屑一顾的公益，欢迎成为他们的一份子。
Thumbs up to Pit Stop Community Cafe 👍
Stories from the Pit Stop - November 6, 2019
Sometimes, when the going gets tough, when we have to worry about rent, the electricity bill, when something breaks down, when we are low on protein... it slips our minds, why we do what we do.
And then something happens ... and we remember what we set out to do.
We did not set out merely to feed the homeless, or provide platforms for companies to show up once a year or for students who need to tick a community service box.
We set out to create love stories. We set out to remind people that they are human beings, that we need a place to belong to... that care and consideration and dignity is the right of humanity. We set out to invest in humanity.
And love stories, now, some three plus years on, we have plenty.
Here's a love story: Once or twice a year, a daughter honours her late mother by sponsoring a dinner service, asking that merits be sent to her. And always, for that dinner service, we will have a broccoli and mushroom stir fry, because that is practically a must-have dish if there is a special occasion in a Chinese household. Every year, for the last three years, that pain of losing her mother is revisited, together with memories of the good times.
Here's another love story: A lady in her eighties makes it a point to volunteer at the Pit Stop at least once a week, because she wants to make sure her friends are alright. She greets them by name, talks to them, asks after their health. They smile and greet her by name, asking after her. She says her friends - our street clients - are what saved her when she lost her husband. She is one of the kindest and most soft-hearted people we have ever met.
And another, which is still ongoing: A mother, now in her late sixties, who loved her youngest daughter too much alienated her eldest daughter, who first did not want to have anything to do with her. But now, it is the eldest who looks in on her and makes sure she has food.
And one, of self-discovery and self-worth: A 27 year old girl, on the streets since she was a teenager, who looked for a man who would love her. And another, and another - resulting in five children by four different men. More than two years of scolding and counselling and just downright nagging and she has a job, a roof over her head and, most importantly, self-respect and realisation that she doesn't need a man to take care of her - she can do a better job herself.
One, of pride and a fall and clawing one's way up again: A man who had everything but was alone, who lost his job and his way, but clung on to "face" and refused to let his friends know he wasn't doing too good. Who has since reconciled with his daughter and his family and is back on his feet again.
And one that continues weekly: Our regular volunteers, who come in week after week, who cut and slice and chop and clean with strangers who become friends and family, for strangers who are hungry, because they are humans and therefore, family.
All these stories... and lessons. And we realise that maybe, just maybe, some days, all that stress and pressure and increasing white hair... Maybe, it's worth it. Because real love stories, they're more precious than diamonds. And because, just maybe, they keep us human.
What's YOUR love story?
