By J. Humphreys, MD, MSc IM (Edin), MPhil PPA (Health Policy), FFM, FICPS
As a seasoned humanitarian, I’ve had the privilege of working in diverse corners of the world, from Haiti and Eastern Europe to South America and the Caribbean. I’ve represented my country in various humanitarian efforts and diplomatic missions. Yet, despite all the global experiences, nothing has been as rewarding as serving my own people at home.
My understanding of the indigent community was forever changed on March 24, 2021, when I had one of the most eye-opening and fulfilling experiences of my life. Alongside a team of dedicated humanitarians, I took part in a “Feed the Homeless” initiative in St. John’s during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The energy was high, and the mission was clear: to offer help to those in dire need. As we set out, the evening unfolded slowly, but by nightfall, reality illuminated a truth that would stay with me forever.
As we walked through the city, offering meals and water, I began to meet individuals I had often passed without a second thought. These were people with their own stories, their own families, and their own dreams, even if they seemed buried beneath the struggles of survival. In those moments, I saw something in their eyes—an undeniable desire for more, for a better life, despite the cards they had been dealt.
The more I engaged with them, the more I realized how often we overlook the humanity in those who live on the margins. Some may blame these individuals for their circumstances, labeling them as victims of poor life choices. But who among us would fare better if life’s struggles and missteps were written into our fate? Perhaps we should count ourselves fortunate rather than judgmental.
What struck me most was how little we, as a society, offer of our excess, let alone our sacrifice. This is not necessarily because we are inherently bad, but because we are conditioned, through social programming, to be blind to the subtle ills that affect our communities.
Let me introduce you to two individuals whose stories profoundly shaped my perspective during that evening. Their experiences reflect the critical gaps in our social systems and the urgent need for a more compassionate, personalized approach to help those in need.
Meet Jim:
Jim was a middle-aged man, slender and weary, who lived under a makeshift container in the Perry Bay area. When he saw us, he emerged slowly, with great effort, from the cramped space beneath the container. His home was barely two feet high, and the effort it took him to rise was a testament to the hardship of his life. But what struck me most was the compassion shown by another homeless man, who, upon seeing Jim, immediately took a container of food to him. As he did, he called out, “Hey Jim, don’t come out. Stay dey! A coming!” It was a remarkable act of kindness, especially coming from someone who had so little. After making sure Jim was okay, his friend quietly took a meal for himself, thanked us, and left. I was moved by the humanity that emanated from this simple exchange.
Meet Willett:
Later in the evening, our mission paused when we noticed a frail figure lying beneath an abandoned building on Lower All Saints Road. When we approached, he introduced himself as Willett. An elderly man with a sharp mind and articulate speech, Willett’s story was not what we often hear from the homeless. He wasn’t struggling with addiction, nor was he particularly lacking in material possessions. Instead, he shared that he had suffered a hip injury some time ago, which left him unable to care for himself. Despite having a home, he found it easier to live on the streets, where he received more care from strangers than he did in the comfort of his own space. He spoke about how a “friend” would bring him breakfast every morning, and how he felt more supported by the community of homeless people than by any formal social system. As he tried to position himself on the concrete steps of the abandoned building, his groans of pain were audible, yet he expressed contentment. He asked for care and said he’d be willing to go to the Fiennes Institute for further help.
These experiences taught me so much more than I had anticipated. Poverty, I realized, is not merely a lack of material possessions—it is the absence of connection, love, and care. The true poverty is the sense of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. As we distributed food, I noticed something remarkable: no one rushed to take more than they needed. People looked out for each other, ensuring that everyone in their circle had enough. Some even refused meals, saying they had already eaten or asking that the food be given to someone else. It was humbling to witness such selflessness and thoughtfulness among people with so little.
These individuals knew each other by name. They knew where to find each other, and they shared not just food but a sense of community. Despite living with so little, they possessed something far more valuable: love, gratitude, compassion, and an appreciation for life’s most meaningful aspects.
Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from people like Jim, Willett, and others on the margins of society. Their lives remind us that in the absence of material wealth, there is a wealth of intangibles—things that cannot be quantified or measured. Yes, sometimes in having less of what is material, we may find ourselves gaining more of what truly matters – love, compassion and the undying thrust to be of service to each other. Now, that’s food for thought!
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About the Author
Dr. J. Vlaun Humphreys is an award-winning physician, international speaker, author, and humanitarian. He holds a Master’s degree in Internal Medicine from the University of Edinburgh, School of Medicine, and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in Health Policy from Walden University. He also holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the American International School of Medicine and completed Masters-level postgraduate modular training in Allergy with the University of Southampton, School of Medicine, UK. Dr. Humphreys is a respected academic scholar and social scientist who has published in several internationally recognized journals on scientific, medical, public health, and social issues. He is a Fellow of the Inter-American College of Physicians and Surgeons, a member of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians, the Golden Key International Honor Society, the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) Honor Society, and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.