World's Big Sleep Out Draws Attention to Homelessness

On December 8, thousands of people around the world took part in an extraordinary event.

Gathering in large public spaces, they slept outdoors in an effort to increase awareness of homelessness and raise cash to combat the problem.

The world's Big Sleep Out drew over 60,000 participants in over 50 cities this year.

From New York and London to Brisbane and New Delhi, participants were out in force to show solidarity with the homeless communities in their cities.

In London's Trafalgar Square, campers were undeterred by the bitterly cold temperatures and heavy rain.

Rather, the unfavorable weather helped to highlight the difficulties that many homeless people face every day.

"We're just experiencing something for one minute that people have to experience all year round," said one participant.

Bringing some much-needed cheer to the dreary situation, a number of celebrities also joined the event.

Among them was actress Helen Mirren, who read a bedtime story to the crowd.

Meanwhile, in New York, superstar actor Will Smith played host to hundreds of people in sleeping bags surrounded by the dazzling neon lights of Times Square.

The fist World's Big Sleep Out was held in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2016.

The campaign was created by Josh Littlejohn, the owner of the sandwich shop Social Bite, a restaurant which offers employment to homeless people.

According to Littlejohn, all countries have an obligation to address the problem of homelessness.

It's estimated that there are about 150 million homeless people around the world.

Not only are these individuals exposed to the elements, but they also face intimidation and abuse on a regular basis.

In fact, a homeless person is fifteen times more likely to be assaulted than a member of the general public.

Therefore, large-scale efforts to draw attention to the problem and help alleviate it are a welcomed sign of progress.

 

• World's Big Sleep Out  세계 최대 수면 부족  extraordinary ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri 기이한, 놀라운 (=incredible) 보기 드문, 비범한, 대단한 (→ordinary)

• combat |kɑːmbæt 전투, 싸움 (→single combat) (좋지 않은 일의 발생이나 악화를) 방지하다[(방지하기 위해) 싸우다]  go out in force to ...에 열중하고 있다

• solidarity |sɑːlɪ│dærəti  연대, 결속   undeterred ʌndɪ│tɜːrd (방해 등에도) 단념[좌절]하지 않는   bitterly |bɪtərli  몹시, 매섭게 추운  rather 오히려, 차라리

• unfavorable  ʌ̀nféivərəbl <보고·비평 등이> 호의적이 아닌, 비판적인, 형편이 나쁜, 불운한, highlight ˈhaɪlaɪt (특히 사람들이 더 많은 관심을 기울이도록) 강조하다

• dreary ˈdrɪri  음울한, 따분한 (=dull)   dazzling dǽzliŋ 눈부신, 휘황찬란한, 현혹적인  dazzle ˈdæzl  (강한 빛이) 눈이 부시게[눈 앞이 안 보이게] 하다 (=blind)

• elements  비바람, 폭풍우  element ˈelɪmənt 요소, 성분   intimidation intìmədéiʃən 협박, 위협  on a regular basis 정기적으로(regularly)

• assault əˈsɔːlt   폭행하다(특히 범죄가 되는 행위)  / 폭행(죄) (점거를 위한) 공격 (=attack)  alleviate əˈliːvieɪt  완화하다 (=ease)