[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This is a supporter blog post by Thinus Ras, the owner of Ragamuffin Curry and Ragamuffin Café, both operating from the same premises at 3 Mains Avenue, Kenilworth. He supports U-turn by selling U-turn vouchers from his restaurant. He has a background in engineering, but left that behind to follow his passion… people. As he says “Food is the shortest distance between people.” This tiny spot has become known for the welcoming, light-hearted atmosphere and interesting food. 

I have a friend who is extremely rude to the homeless. The first time I noticed her attitude it shocked me – it was very out of character.

When I asked her about it, she told me how much she cared in the past, how much she gave even going as far as taking people into her home. She told me about how it ultimately backfired, and hurt her. And so now, she doesn’t allow herself to engage with the homeless at all.

Homelessness and poverty is overwhelming. My sister once told me when she sits in the traffic and someone comes to asks for help at the window, it feels like the whole world’s poverty is standing in front of her asking to be solved.

It leaves you with a difficult choice, either to open your heart or close it. But recently I realized it doesn’t have to be like this. Because you are not alone. When that pang of intense injustice hits you, and you realize you either have to act on it or close your heart… remember that your emotion is shared by many.

There are organisations like U-turn that stood up and said “Let’s not just hope for better days. Let us open our heart to the hurt and pain of this world, but let’s do it wisely, and not alone.”

Buying and giving away U-turn vouchers is an accessible everyday way of joining in others in this cause, and working towards something better for all. And to me, more importantly, a way to not close your heart to the people around us.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]