Homeless, But I'm Not A Bum | CNA Insider
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ต.ค. 2017
- "Make an effort to find out more, before you crucify us with your prejudice." Ben, 35, has been sleeping in public spaces in Singapore for the last eight years. This is story of how he became homeless, and his struggle to get out of destitution.
READ the fuller interview: cna.asia/2yPQ2Hg
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"This is not living. You're just existing"
Wow what a quote
Muhammad Naufal W fr fr
Ikr
My Mom says that
Muhammad Naufal W people who work constantly and only work and pay bills feel the same way but of course it’s better to not be homeless.
Muhammad Naufal W I’ve literally heard that exact quote many many times
He should write down his story. People will be inspired. He's pretty good with words, too, and he has a great philosophical mind.
Carl Lee his command of english is much better than some of my friends in uni! The gov should send him 2 school!
yes, agree.
Yeah! he should actually start writing!!
this all are scripted.
Lol it’s all scripted guys. In a place like Singapore , he and the production house will get into trouble if this was the actual scenario
Update: The link above with the full interview. According to a commenter, with the help of a kind woman, Ben has found a place to stay and a stable job in December. All it took was 8 years and Ben's charismatic eloquence. The difference is Ben didn't let himself go. Many homeless are mentally ill, addicted, trafficked, let themselves go. One down, many more to go. I'm glad there are still good people out there.
Sitou Dien, I don't understand, why was help given to him?
@@DavidDavid-yz2sh he needed help to support him making a change in his life ?? instead of staying homeless for the rest of his life
@@revelbangtanexo2642, it's nice of them to help, but I don't think he deserves it. Frankly speaking.
@@DavidDavid-yz2sh no offence but why do you think so ?? every person in that kind of situation in general needs to be helped in order to live a better life
@@revelbangtanexo2642, firstly he came from a rich family, he choose to leave, who is he that his dad has to ask him for permission to married another women? Sometimes in life, one must know where we stand. Nobody own us anything, I hv know a girl under 30, her parents don't even bother about her since a child, imagine how they grow up, today she is flying all over Asia for biz negotiations, still under 30, a female some more, she work very hard. That's why I hv said this guy is a bum.
Damn, his command of the English language is phenomenal.
learning a lot from his story of life, great singaporean
Same sentiments!
he was born in a well-to-do family apparently. So probably grew up speaking English.
Awang Budiman Agreed - for a low life bum, he speaks quite well
same, he's like well educated can speak like that.
I'm amazed that he managed to get a diploma while homeless and dealing with depression. I hope he's found a better job and not have to sleep in public places anymore.
Pretty amazing given that a lot of his day is spent just on trying to get by - working, keeping clean and finding a place to rest
Lala Is
there was an old guy in Australia who completed a university degree while homeless, went on to complete honours and PhD and is now a lecturer at university - Gregory Smith th-cam.com/video/9fnm_xFD3cQ/w-d-xo.html
it's a bit easier in Australia though because the government pays for half of our tuition fees and lets us put the other half on an automatically guaranteed loan that we don't have to pay back until we start paying tax on earnings above a certain threshold
@@NicholasMarkovich If the USA was like that we'd have more PH D's
@@NicholasMarkovich :) Nothing beats a piece of paper.
He speaks really well.
Black Shark nice cestrel
yea
Singapore's main language is English, so you can expect a Chinese homeless to speak it well.
yes
That from the street knowledge my friend.
This dude's English is better than at least 90% of Singaporeans
Dont think its him speaking lol
@@charliemomo6532 it is definitely him
yeah better than mine XD
nah it's his deep grounded voice that makes his english sounds good. a lot of sg people speak english but with high pitch and rushed accents that make them sound incompetent at speaking english
Remember when He was a child. He had a good education. That's why his English is good.
He's very articulate.
homeless people in Singapore speak English fluently because the main language is English
yes
U r so sweet judith...😍😍😍👍
@@alexlun4464 Depends on age and background. He came from a well to do family and his father was a professional. That probably explains why he speaks better than the average Singaporean on the street.
Such great vocabulary!
anselm zhu
singapore's main language is English, most Singaporean's can't even speak mandarin right... no, most of them don't even speak any language right
yes
@@alexlun4464 I met a lot of people who couldn't speak English in Singapore, especially at Hawkers Markets.
@@diegoperez2090
don't get misled, English is Singapore's main language, broken, but main
It's broken English lah..
despite all the difficulties, he's trying to change things!
Oh look hi a guy with the same name as me😂
That the beauty behind all the frustration. If i were a woman, i would marry him. What he need is a chance to live better and attention. Perhaps love
@@GoodBoy-wn9sd no you wouldnt bitch
TheGodofBlack 😂😂😂😂
He is too good to be homeless! Pray he will have better days to come.
Nobody is, unless they can afford not to be. Watch out.
Aaron Han, too good??? In Wat way oh?
All humans deserve somewhere to live, so everyone is to good to be homeless.
Life dosn't work that way.
Just because he speaks well and sounds educated , doesnt mean he is more deserving than those who dont. Actually he could have just given tuition or found something part time. I wonder why he didnt. It could have paid for a room .
He care about personal hygiene more than my camp mates who usually sleep without showering :/ and he speaks really well too, sincerely hoping that you’ll be able to get a job soon
He is super strong despite his condition. He fight the depression and people prejudices, and yet he still manages to has self esteem. Many people may have took their live. And what the most important is that he live his life not just to be exist, he has a plan and goal even though he know it's twice as hard to reach compared to people that has never been in his state.
I am reading this now 2018 and I am wondering how Ben is doing? I am really impressed by his command of English and his personal hygiene. You can tell right away there is a good side of Ben somewhere inside him. We all get ourselves into troubles somehow or other in our lives and Ben's petty crimes is something we can all understand especially under such circumstances. Ben, I wish you well and hope you have a more stable live now.
I really can't understand this story. This person can easily become a content writer. Every office in the world needs a content writer. His English billion times better than mine. What's he doing in the streets. Maybe his past records trouble him. He must do freelance writer jobs. He can win in a years struggle. Hope you rise above. You are a hero. You didn't have anyone to help you. That's the only reason people become homeless.
Nikhil Sukumar because singapore cares more on the qualifications and any jail records on a person rather than talent.
Tan WeiAn freelance is not professional. People that hire you just want your english not your past
well Singapore doesn't work that way in most fields and companies. plus they need to compete with their fellow Singaporeans who are many like him and foreign talents, to secure themselves a job.
agreed.. he can just tell his story in a fiction novel without needing to spend much energy on plot.
Sol Usman i was thinking the same. With great life experience n so many obstacles that he ever underwent he can do something with that.. plus his english is quite good. I was so touched with his sentence “i would rather die cuz this is not living, this is existing”. 😢
Thanks for showing this CNA. This will provide a platform for Singaporeans to learn about people who have no place to live in or has no family.
Applause him for his great command of English and resiliency. God is great. Keep persevering and striving Ben! Do what makes you happy, do you. Know that you are a very strong person and I applause you for your determination in saving up for and completing your Diploma.
Everyone has their own battle, let’s be nice and minimise pre-judgement on those who had it bad than us.
Kim Jong Un ok
Since when kim jong un became nice?
Kim Jong Un
Long live the Supreme Leader!!!!!
Kim Jong Un "God is great"
Kim Jong Un this is fake kim jong un
For someone who's homeless, he speaks well and his vocabulary is top notch. Such a shame what happened to him
Being destitute for a while myself, I know exactly what he is going through. Everybody has a story, take heed in your own lives that you don't end up like him!!!Thank God for your blessings.
I am also destitute since my low income never allow my to have savings just like any employed people
Does anyone know how to contact him? It must be so incredibly hard.. in Singapore, everything is so expensive and unforgiving.
And to answer his question-yes, he has many problems in life. But his determination and optimism and general fighting spirit are very attractive traits. Not to mention that he’s eloquent and seems like a bright person. Hoping that he is doing better now, both in his financial situation and mental state.
that's a very serious allegation and is quite uncalled for.
SparkzMxzXZ Ma'am.. Why not you try contacting CNA.... I think there's chance to keep in touch with the person.
Are you willing to date him and spend the rest of your life with him knowing that he has these issues and a criminal record to boot? I highly doubt so. He is indeed strong. I'll guess much stronger than most professionals I know who whine for the littlest of things. But the professionals are those getting the dough and are attractive to the girls.
you’re emphatetic and compassionate, something rare in people nowadays. reading comments like yours really brightens up the toxic youtube community tbh
yao facts
the thieves are human scums...i mean robbing a homeless man..just how low can you get??
Ikr !!! exactly ,, but then when you think again , probably the thieves who stole his belongings were probably homeless ppl themaeves lmao but then again it's not an excuse to steal others' stuffa
They were probably poorer and hungrier homeless people
@epocs that's what u said..so you're the idiot..i didn't said anything like that...in fact nobody should be robbing anyone at all..
Wut? This comment makes no sense. Do you know what a thief is?
Need makes you do a lot of things
He sounds like an intelligent person..
its not lack of intelligence that got him there, its mental health
and criminal record
More like a decent human being
@@surayyaibrahim180 You're braindead.
Thank you. Finally a good video that sheds a real light on Singapore’s social issues that isnt sugar coated
Wow, you Spoke fluently in English, do not give up Ben, try to apply for WSG for a degree program. I believe you will become a profession in one of the areas.
And how is he going to pay for that degree program when he can't even pay for a roof over his head? $$$$$
$500 not enough even for one semester
Or apply for. Customer service I guess I'm just a hs grad working with customer service for years now from multiple companies
This guy is amazing! Smart as heck and his will is just made of iron. Makes me ashamed of myself at times when I just give up easily. Great guy. Hope everything's working out for him now. 💪
Dang, I wish you the best Ben. You sound very educated and a good person. I hope someone will see the positive in you and give you a chance at life because I believe you never really had a shot after you lost your mama. May peace and love be with you and lots of prosperity Ben. Bless your heart.
Thank CNA for a well produced and directed interview. I salute Ben for his determination to up skill himself and work towards a better life. He could be the voice of the destitute.
Hey Ben, you have very good command in English. I am sure you can find a better job with higher salary than cleaner. All the best to you, don't give up and always think positively.
Poor man. Even his father doesn't help him till him went to jail. That's not a father. I think after he went to jail his life is destroyed. With no friends or family he was all alone. No one to share to talk. Hope he find a place call home and family one day.
Erh he ran from home ... not sure what you expected his father to be doing. Sure domineering parents sucks but rebellious children aren't that much better... takes 2 hands to clap...
@Randy Barat Again you're mixing up (i) parents who abandon their children intentionally; and (ii) children who run away. No one is trying to say the father is right, but that both parties involved have not done the right thing.
This dude is inspiration in the purest form. Everything stacked against him and yet he can still get a diploma. Meanwhile international students at my school with nothing to worry about except studying, still fail out first year. Wtf is wrong with the world
He is actually a smart man, I know from the way he talked about his experince and his world view. Just a series of unfortunate events happened to him and made him slipped. Like he said, if he knew he would have lived like this for the rest of his life, he would have choosed to be dead right now. He still have hope. HOPE is the most precious thing in life. I wish someone would reach out to him and give him a chance.
he is fluent in english, has a diploma in tourism, positive-thinking, smart and considerate judging from how he figured his own ways to survive.
all these traits yet he can't find any jobs, even the lightest work??
back where I'm from he would probably be employed by a large travel company in a secure position.
It is because he has record and the society we are living are unforgiving.he should go abroad instead of wasting time here
This is so heartbreaking! To see someone with so much potential and articulate be in this situation. I hope he gets help soon! Whoever is filming this. Please help him.
this guy is so strong. i hope things are looking up for him after he moves into the joint single rental room. stay strong bro, always have high hopes
He's probably reading most of the time when he was alone to stay sane. This was so painful to watch. Hope he's alright :)
Dude is articulate and well spoken and put together with regards his self awareness and sense of the world around him and the relativity of his situation. Kudos on him for rising above and making things happen for himself with regards his improved housing situation. I have a feeling he has a sense of fear about his potential mental illness history ruining things for him, but hopefully he will come to control it and make it work for him instead as a driver to keep going and getting better. Good luck my brother, I hope you never have to sleep rough again in the future.
CNA please make a go fund me for every poor people that you have interview. Don’t ever think that we Singaporean are to stingy to donate our money to them. because honestly I’ll donate some money to him . It’s part of the human charm.
I will pray for you Ben. May you get out of this soon.
this is the first time I ever felt so proud like a miracle !! A homeless man who won't gave up and stand tall...what could be more supernatural power than that ? That is also a miracle !
Highly determined, eloquent and rational. He deserves the best in life!
God bless him and i pray that he will protect him and give him a better future he deserve it so much 🙏🙏🙏🤲🤲🤲
Seems like well-educated man. Praying for a good turnaround. Hang in there man.
i dont understand why we need subtitles, i can understand this guy more than english movies
Fendi Roon For the deaf community. They can't hear at all. 😂 please be considerate
you're not the only viewer.lol entitled much
Then all english speaking videos need to have subtitles, for everyone, apparently not every video has eng subs or even auto subs
By right, every video posted on media must have subtitles to cater to the deaf community. At least according to some countries. I'm not too sure about SG yet
And also to foreigners who can't understand our slang. We're not the only ones living in this world and everybody around the world have access to this video. So think before you speak next time.
With his eloquent expression in the language, he could have easily gotten at least a teaching job can't he? Dont have the qualifications? Its never too late!
Bolshoi I used to teach in Singapore and believe me the whole process of doing Teachers training is really really tough!!
he wouldn't be able to get a job in the gov sector due to his past.
Bolshoi 8
I don't think any schools would hire a person with criminal record
Bolshoi teaching? Cmon, discrimination is all time high on this sunny island....without Resume u can forget about even 5mins with HR.
Its not going to change.
Caliber is always going to be less important than CV, thats how Singapore intends to 'progress'.
Inspiration , touching! He has spirit! Living homeless 17 years, half of his life, extraordinary.
Cant help but wonder... places of worship are a good place for people to sleepover and seek help right
Rafiq ya exactly they can sleep at places of worships wat
omg yea never thought of that
like most things in life, it depends.
in my experience, sounds nice but no. it doesn't apply to everyone.
It depends but I'm not that keen believing they'd let you sleep in a church or any other worship place in the west
Yes.. almost all the shelters and poor services are run by Christian groups and churches where I live.. So it depends.. I know here in America most everyone who is helping the homeless are overwelmed with people needing help.. Proverty is 15% but honestly more like 25% of Americans are on the edge of loosing everything..
I would help him if I was in a position to do so. Reminds me of the man with the golden voice.
Pankour Laut Rather watch this than stories about rich snobby people.
I really appreciate this video.
Thank you for sharing this
Thanks for sharing your story Ben . Hope for the best for you.
I seriously hope his situation gets alot better
Be strong Ben......ur English is fantastic
i really hope life has gotten better for him, prayers and high hopes that everything will be ok, he is truly a survivor
I remembered many years ago a middle age man jumped to his death when he saw a MRT approaching the station. When the reporter interviewed the man' wife, she said the whole family only left with $5. The man's wife said he had to do it as it will raise the public attention and give some donation to his family. I felt so, so, so very sad and grief for his wife and 2 teenage sons. I believed his sons grown up with great pain and shame till now.
He is so clean. Good thing. Goodluck Ben. I think you decent. We all make mistakes.
I wish him the best
Hatts off to cna insider they never fail to amaze!! more power to people like ben!
I have depression and anxiety disorder for over 5 years now. But luckily I ain't homeless. I got my mother to take care of me. I'm 20 going 21 soon.
This was uploaded almost a year ago. I wonder how he is doing now.
Suo Zheng Yes! Hope to get an update about him, hope all is better for him 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
...it's 2 years now, i wonder too.
And they say we are lazy...
Hope u are well sir and may u thrive in whatever u are doing right now.. god bless u
You already did change this world with yr story bro. you are awesome because you alive and still can manage yr life very well even in this situation . keep doing and work whatever job ,it will gain ppl trust on you as work experiences .
He has better hygiene then most of us with a home. I hope this guy gets help, and gets back in the right place.
Ben, you'd make a great writer.
Cornellia Widiastuti Journalism is dead. It's all freelance. Nobody pays.
This guy is phenomenal. He has a very good clarity and views. Hopes he reach his goals soon
His choice of words are amazing.
Man his choice of words are amazing. He sure knows how to get around with words.
Wished you have better life bro one day am pretty sure.
Salute your courage bro.
Wow very moving prayers he finds a path to get out of that life
Bro take care never give up life is precious, stay strong, all the best in everything you do,god bless you
You can tell he is Singaporean when he says "la" at the end
Sokka's Wife in hongkong too
I noticed that. what is the lah supposed to mean?
I believe Singaporean also speaks Chinese and so they got mixed between the two languages (accent)
Abigail Tovar it means nothing :/ LAH
@@abigailtovar2278 More of just an emphasis on what has been said. An extreme view would be, "You dummy".
One thing I've proven again and again and again. People don't care. Even if they knew your situation, most people will just stay away from you like a plague. They will just watch you suffer. Better yet, forget about you. People who hype that they want to help mostly just do it so that they would look good on social media. They don't know that if you give real help, the ones that suffered the most or went through the lowest and degrading experiences in life, are the ones who can really contribute a lot to society...because they know what it feels like to suffer. They have more empathy. Problem is, most die forgotten. Only a few get real help. Those who are spoilt and don't really need any help are the ones that are getting help, because of their appearances and status in life. I don't think there will be any changes. It's hard to force people to be open-minded and compassionate. It's also human nature to stay away as far as possible to anything ugly, suffering, and beneath them. Even if you have higher intellect or education. Even if you have no criminal record or a good person. Once you go down in life, rare are the ones who actually get the real help that they need. Most would just want to get you locked up in a mental institution or force you to take medicines for your "mental health"... discounting the fact that 'most' are the ones who caused your sufferings in the first place. The consequences of their actions. Such as when you get bullied all your life. Then strangers just keep on adding and adding to the suffering. It takes special kinds of people who actually help out and sometimes, these are the people who have been through so much in life too.
I hope that you find your way. You just have to make the most of what you have. For instance, you can finally get a room. Most people in other countries will never be able to afford it. No matter how educated they are, once they fall into the life of a destitute.
What a well spoken man... I wish him all the best in his future..!
He honestly speaks really well... I definitely hope for th best for him!
Ben should get some professional counselling and guidance for a full time job to turn his life around. He should not be treated like any other destitute.
People like the CNA interviewers and those who help him to get a rental flat are in a good podition to do him that favour.
Most importantly, Ben must have the confidence that nature has given him what's needed to lead a normal life. It is up to him to help himself before he ages
Things will get better think positive.
This man's situation is frightening/depressing but he hasn't given up and I pray that his resolve holds long enough for his situation to improve.
He can truly be a motivational speaker...
His sense of hygiene n well-grooming nature has not disappeared among all the challenges he faced...
He deserves a very decent job to support himself n to establish a beautiful family, in all positive ways..
Ben... Hats off n all the very best...
It’s annoying how we automatically assume that the homeless are bums
Teh in america yes
I am inspired by how this person survived. I have been in Singapore before and I know how this person would have felt. My mates that works with me jump off to the 11th floor just like that. It is so easy to commit suicide because you have no place to turn to for help because the society do not accept that social welfare system of the west. If you're so hungry and don't have any money you for sure will steal or rob. So someone post this same question to me when I at first found it distasteful for some one to accept Dole or welfare payment. I now understand that social welfare is a must to elevate social justice. There might be some who taken for granted but is necessary.
jehan c agree completely, there's hardly any welfare here in Singapore, except for subsidies and small payouts that come with lots of red tape. People have the right to live in dignity and it's the state and society that should provide for the basic needs of its people.
jehan and Fion, well said!
This video is 5 years ago, so "Ben" is now 40 yrs old. Hope everything is better. If you are out there, "Ben", stay strong bro
Very well spoken.
Singapore is a very competitive place. A guy like him don't belong there. Being homeless is stressful enough, but being homeless in Singapore? that's a nightmare. Go find a place in malaysia or anywhere else, you know a diploma in Singapore won't do it...
He just needs guidance and some confidence. Be patient, be brave and be ready to climb mountains.
Think about it. Having a place to stay, even with a roommate is better than staying in the streets. Just be patient and humble . you will get along fine with roommate.
Still young and healthy. Intelligent and eloquent. Look around , there are a lot more unfortunate and disabled people around. Believe in yourself, love yourself and make a commitment to treat yourself better to make a better future for yourself.
Please make more of such videos!!
I hope the best for Ben and he finds a home and live out his dream. I would be very proud to met him. May God watch over you Ben. 💕
Hello CNA. Our company is always looking out for blue collar jobs. He seems to have potential to become a Supervisor. How do we reach him for interview? Is he still looking for a higher pay job?
It's literally my first time replying to people's comments on YT. I do see the reporter's name in the article which is linked in the description box.
Hope you can get to him soon :)!
Shannon Ong If what you are saying is true, hope you can hire him.
Wish to know how he survive this pandemic 🤞
I was homeless for 9 months and I experienced 3 seasons winter, spring and summer, I lost everything after my divorce and during my 9 months struggle a Christian organization helped me get back on track and now I have a stable job and a house with my new wife and a baby coming...I'm glad that I never loose hope and still grabs on to my goals in life because there is light at the end of the tunnel.
#Be strong and you'll make it too.
Reading the comments, I am pleased to see compassion. It gives me hope for humanity.
"This is not living. You're just existing."
Powerful words
I’m watching this in 2019 and have to say this is really inspiring.
Hope Ben is living a better life now and pursues his dream of sharing his life with a wolf dog.
If Ben, who went to jail at 18 due to hunger, came out of it homeless at 22. Recognised himself that he had mental issues.
Slept on the streets, worked any job he could land as the whole society was prejudiced against him due to his criminal record.
Seeked mental help and took regular medication.
Respected himself, did not blame society or god. He never gave up and is still working to achieve his dreams......
Why can’t we do the same?......
If we are to compare ourselves to him, i’m sure our problems will pale in comparison.
The next time if the idea of giving up pops up, think of Ben and I hope you will be just as inspired by him as he inspired me.
He's very Eloquent. There's something in him that is pure yet tarnished. I pray that he make his way someday 🙏🏻
I hope he is doing better and is happy.
Can someone please tell me how to help this man?
Malaysian in uk foofoo Easiest way is Contact CNA insider, and through them you would be able to help him.
I cant help him but I hope that someone is helping this man right now..
It all comes down to money.
I would say help people like him. Donate to your local rehabs, shelters or training programs that help support homeless people.
So many superficial reasons prevent him from landing a worthy job, namely his jail record, lack of a house, lack of working experience. Hey guy, if you are reading this, you need to get help asap, stop trying to make it out on your own, there are people who will and can help you. You should start with organisations that help ex-convicts first.
One swirched on guy and I relate to his issue with people and life, cheers I wish you all the best buddy
He has good attitude & discipline despite mammoth challenges he's facing everyday. I am sure he will rebound .
He's not dumb either
Who else looked up 'wolf dog'
You're strong actually! Keep it up Man!
Don't give up.. will pray for u