Hope for Homeless

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  Wai’anae, HI
  
  October 13, 2015
  
  Loke Chung-Lono has been dubbed, “Mayor” of a homeless community located in between Waianae Boat Harbor and Waianae High School. Being appointed with such a title, she has plenty of responsibilities on a daily basis. She is widely known for aiding the occupants of the camp when it comes to their wellbeing by giving everyone what they need to survive. She gives all of her effort and support to the occupants to get them as comfortable as possible as Loke realizes that all effort counts and makes a difference.
  
  “We try to provide what there is out of the donations that are given to us by churches, organizations, some of them that come out to give donations are just ordinary people from their houses,” said Loke.
  
  No matter what their story, Loke has the ability to look past a person’s troubles and journeys and keeps in mind that everyone deserves a second shot at life.
  
  “Everybody here, this is pretty much their second chance in life is for them to try and get to the next level.”
  
  Loke has the ability to understand other occupants and their individual struggles as she had her fair share of experiences herself. Being one of the thousands affected by The Recession in 2009, Loke had been let go from her job as a carpenter and she had to foreclose her home which lead to her becoming homeless. In between now and then, she’s been through many up’s and down’s. From being hopeless and unmotivated she’s found a purpose in life. She became motivated to give others a purpose so that they feel appreciated and acknowledged despite their trials.
  
  Passionately, Loke said, “I give that to everybody else that’s out here… I prefer to give them purposes because of the fact that a lot of us get kicked down by society. Any time you give (purpose to) somebody or anyone that has been kicked around and pushed down all their lives, it gives them something to hold on to, you give them hope.”
  
  After 6 years of being homeless, she’s found motivation in giving others a reason to succeed in life. She’s a vital source of inspiration for the people in a place full of broken dreams and hurting hearts. Loke gives hope to the homeless.