Article Response by Feng

SS245

Ms. Greco

4/19/2011 Tues.

Response for the article “In High School and Alone in a Homeless Shelter” By Andrew Keh (January 26, 2011)

It is one of the neediest cases on the New York Times. Thakane Masondo, 18, was born in New York City, but she was not brought up by her mother, instead she grew up in South Africa with relatives. Her mother returned her to Harlem and Thakane went to Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem when she was 16. Her mom lived with her for a short period of time but did not trust her own daughter which was very disorienting to Thakane. With nowhere to turn, Thakane ended up in a homeless shelter in Bronx when she was 18. She was the youngest person there and often finished her homework on the hallway floor after the lights had been turned off in the sleeping quarters.

Thakane Masondo's story really struck me. But even more heartbreaking is what she said during that interview. “I kept asking myself, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ ” she said. I think Thakane’s situation is even worse than those orphans. She has a mom who lives close by but she can not get any love from her. The feeling of being discarded by parents must hurts deeply and she kept asking herself why this is happening. I can’t believe the stress and how hard she must struggle to keep herself going to class each day. It’s terrible how some parents can be so heartless to let their children live on the street and not keep in contact with them.

Despite all the problems Thakane is still performing well at school. “She plays lacrosse, belongs to the global history club and is the founder of a dance group that performed at the Apollo Theater. She has a playful sense of humor and a mischievous smile.” With the help from Adulthood program of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, Thakane was able pay for SAT exam and apply for college. It’s inspirational to hear of a student at such a young age who can keep herself afloat with all the problems surrounding her and to find the motivation to get her diploma and who is trying to go to college.

I believe Thakane can achieve her dream of going to college and may even do better than her classmate. But one thing that makes me sad is that most likely there is already a scar in her heart and it will hurt whenever she touches it. Just like what she said at the end of the interview: “I don’t like not liking my mother, but I don’t like her,” she said, her eyes fixed to the floor. “I pray that I like her. I don’t know how I feel about her.” She paused. “Maybe I’m upset,” she continued finally. “I don’t know. No, I don’t think I’m upset. Well, maybe I’m upset.” We can do all the things to help homeless people, but what’s hurting inside is hard to heal for them.