Poverty is terrible. But what does she really look like? Two people give her a face for the retirement of the Styrian Caritas director Herbert Beiglböck.
“I haven’t eaten jam in ten years,” says Petra S., holding the jar of the fruit in her hand when she comes back from shopping at Styrian Caritas director Herbert Beiglböck. “Today is the party,” says S. about the products she can’t get otherwise.
Because: As a couple, you and your partner have 20 euros per week to spend in the supermarket. So she needs help. “At first I thought I wouldn’t go to Caritas because I’ve always managed to get my life in order.” But then came the realization, “There are hands that will take you.”
There is no money for groceries
Beiglböck confirms that it actually takes courage to accept help: “To worry about one’s own existence every day means a lot of internal stress.” shopping. I wouldn’t know how we would live without Caritas.”
Poverty can affect anyone
Before she got into this situation, S. worked for 18 years as a secretary at a law firm. But then the 50-year-old got several hernias and had to take extended sick leave. The notice of termination then fluttered into the house. She also had to stop working at the post office due to health problems. Her partner Steve R has also been badly affected physically. “He’s already had three strokes,” says S.
People in need are often a taboo
Still, both would like to pursue an activity so that life regains meaning. “But the labor market doesn’t seem to offer anything for people like us”, S. shakes his head. Beiglböck, who is retiring today, thinks it is extremely important that she speaks so candidly about her situation. Few would dare. But now you have to say: “yes, there are major challenges in housing, energy and long-term unemployment at the moment”.
Term marked by crises
Other issues have also run through the director’s tenure. “It was a continuous crisis operation. The pandemic, the war in Ukraine – and that is above all the climate crisis.” Managing these crises was his job, experiences with people, like the one with Petra S., have always strengthened him. “It was years that took strength, but I’ve always had the strength to work through human encounters.” He leaves now with a good feeling and is “confident that the new management will master their work excellently”.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
