Headline: Bergen‘s Kveldsvakten Stands Firm: "We’ll Keep Our Promise"
Subheadline: Despite opposition from Bergen municipality, the voluntary group continues to provide food and clothing to the city’s homeless.
Article:
In the heart of Bergen, every Tuesday evening, a dedicated group of volunteers from Kveldsvakten sets up tables laden with sandwiches, cakes, and warm drinks at MO Gyldenpris. They’re not deterred by Bergen municipality’s recent declaration that their efforts contribute to ‘encouraging homelessness’ and have vowed to continue their mission.
Charlotte Spurkeland, Bergen’s Social Affairs Manager (H), believes the group’s actions are counterproductive. "We want to help people out of the situation they’re in, not create a dependency on the street," she argues. "We’d prefer if these initiatives would use our established resources in the MO centers."
However, the group’s leader, May Abinda, and other volunteers insist they’re simply keeping their promise. "We’ve committed to helping, and we’re going to stick to it," Abinda asserts.
This Tuesday, they were joined by Joel Ystebø, a politician from the Christian Democratic Party (KrF), who echoed the group’s sentiments. "I believe both the Bergen municipality and Kveldsvakten want the same thing: to help those in need," Ystebø said. "But I think the municipality is going about it the wrong way. This initiative has huge value for the homeless and the volunteers involved."
The group also faces criticism from some within the homeless community. One man, who wished to remain unidentified, questioned the municipality’s decision to relocate the homeless from the Vågsbunnen area. "They’ve just moved us from one place to another. They should have found a better solution," he lamented.
Kveldsvakten, however, isn’t the only group assisting Bergen’s homeless. Gatelangs, another voluntary organization, also helps distribute clothing at the MO Gyldenpris every Tuesday. "We’ve seen a decrease in those seeking our help since Kveldsvakten started their distributions," says Jan Kåre Nilsen, a Gatelangs volunteer.
The Bergen municipality plans to present a ‘Handling Plan for Open Drug Scenes’ to the city council this month. KrF and Ystebø aim to propose ten additional measures, including establishing a crisis team and ensuring immediate aid is available while awaiting the new MO center in the city center.
However, Kveldsvakten remains steadfast in their commitment. "We’ve promised to help, and nothing will make us give up on that," Abinda concludes.
