Another sad story.

Today I was doing some shopping when a young lad approached me and, very politely, asked if I had 10cents.

I gave him the money, noting his bare feet, dirty clothes and sad eyes. I asked what he was short of cash for.
He needed a dollar to buy some chips! Transpires that at the age of 13 mum had kicked him out that morning and he hadn't eaten.

I went to the hasty tasty with him and had a look at the menu. I ended up handing him the rest of my cash - $5.39 so he had $6.30 in total
I suggested he get a chicken Kebab. His eyes lit up and he said "You'd shout me that!" Not enough cash. I'm still not mentally quick, otherwise
I would have used my credit card.

I told him to find something more substantial than chips and left. A lady had been watching this and asked me what was going on and so I told her.
The young fellow came over and said he would get a hot dog. The lady talked to the young fellow and it transpires he had actually dropped out of school.
His plan was to sleep at a mate's place tonight. My ally took him under her wing as she worked in the shopping centre. That made me feel a little better.

BUT: HELL!! kicked out of home at 13!!!! Hungry and a bit unkempt. Not at school! He was a good kid!! I felt bad about not being able to do more immediately
but tomorrow I will get in touch with his school and see what can be done.

I know there has probably been a cascade of circumstances over which this youngster, and hundreds like him, have no control and yet they suffer the consequences.
Apart from being sad it is infuriating!

I am always amazed by the number of kids wandering the streets and in the shopping malls when they should be in school. Where are the laws that cover this??

We don't need punitive laws but we need some measures that can cover this sort of situation.

What chance does the kid have if his parents (and I use that term loosely) do that ...

While i am conscious there are always two sides .. I can't imagine booting my sons to the kerb at age 13.

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I've calmed down a bit now but " is going on" were the first words that came out.

He did the right thing by asking for help and you and the lady helped as best as you could.

How many others, by desperation end up stealing or committing another crime just to survive.

He must have had some sort of good up bringing to pluck up the courage and ask for money, many others with pride would not.

Hopefully he will get all the assistance he needs.

Went to the school where this young fellow was enrolled but little real help as i didn't have his name.

I understand the school's point of view to some extent but I really felt their attitude bordered on the
side of "who cares".

Pisses me off no end.

I was a Home School Liaison Officer with NSW Dep. Ed for nigh on 3 years. This sort of thing was followed
up rigorously. Schools kept tabs on absences and I consulted with principals and teachers before seeing
parents and/or looking for kids. It was amazing how effective the program was. A bit of official oomph and
known twerps would be put into smart orde. parents were mostly extremely grateful to have the backing
of an outside person.