Wake up call to 'loners'

Dear Betsy, I want to know what is wrong with all these sad depressing readers who write to you about being lonely.

They should get off their backsides and just stop feeling sorry for themselves.

Life is a beautiful thing, get out there and enjoy it and stop moaning and spouting self pity. They are not suffering some dreadful disease, they are not disabled, they are not destitute.

Perhaps if they saw what suffering really was and what awful poverty some families here are forced to live in, they would change their tune and start thanking God for their good fortune instead.

Get out there and help some of the charities like the Migrant Workers or Palm Association.

When you see some of the things these volunteers have seen then you will appreciate your good health and the fact that you have air-conditioning, a bed, food and water to enjoy whenever you want.

My husband died very suddenly some years ago leaving me with a huge hole in my life. I was alone and felt sorry for myself for a few months but then I realised that life is for living and not for merely existing.

All these readers have to do is think of others and their lives will improve immeasurably. I don't mean to sound harsh Betsy, but we expats should be more socially responsible and give back to Bahrain instead of just taking and complaining. If it is all so unbearable then the answer is simple, go home.

Annie.

Dear Annie,

Thank you for your no nonsense email. Your sentiments come from the heart, I can see that quite clearly. Your courage and generosity of spirit towards others is an example to us all.

I am happy that you were able to overcome your grief and move your life forward in such a positive way. That takes great strength and commitment. Not many of us are blessed to be able to cope in such a practical way, but your email shows those who are suffering that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that you can make a new fulfilling life for yourself.

I agree with you about volunteering and helping those less fortunate. I remember last year when my work with the Rotary Club of Manama took me to Riffa to visit some ladies there and present them with sewing machines to enable them to earn some money to support their families. Mainly, they were widows and forgotten divorcees.

I was appalled to see how some of these families lived. Crumbling walls, leaking roofs, little or no air-conditioning and several homes without even a fridge. It brought home to me that even in what is considered an affluent area, there are still many who live in totally unacceptable conditions.

We may have a Ministry of Social Development who try their best to help such families, but many of them have too much dignity to reveal their needs.

There are also many expats here who live way below the poverty line and I wonder where they would be without the goodness of the Migrant Workers Association and others like them.

Two things come to mind, the first is 'count your blessings', the second is 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'.