When writing the article Dirty, Grimy, Stinking Beggar I did not realise that it is a topic that hits home for so many people. There were such a lot of valuable comments that I decided to quote some of it.
So here goes…
“i agree, Most of us have family whe could turn to but maybe they cant. In my opinion, if you have loose change give it to them, you are going home to a warm house with a warm plate of food and then getting into your warm bed to sleep, a rand or two really is nothing to be a good person ? Who are we to turn away a person in need when wev been so blessed with our jobs and roofs over our heads.”
– I totally agree. Most of us are blessed with a warm bed, food and much more luxuries that these drifters do not have. Why turn them away.
“I prefer to take an active role in charity in other, meaningful ways.
Giving small change to beggars on a street corner is nothing more than a way to ease your conscience about living a charmed (relatively speaking) life. In the end though you are encouraging the existence of these beggars on our streets, and doing little more than adding to the problem.
Getting involved in a real community/charity project will not only give you a much cleaner conscience at the end of the day, but will actually do something real to solve the underlying social problems that lead to things like begging in the first place.
It's not so much about judging the beggar so much as thinking about the real effects or your actions.”
“Registered charities that take up to 50% for administration and salaries. Yup it seems sensible to give R10.00 to a big name charity rather than R 5.00 to the fella that needs a loaf of bread. “
- Charities are a good way to help those in need. Just make sure that it is a registered charity so that you can know that your money will get used in a good way.
“Too true - my brother offered one of these "beggars" a job for a 5 days helping him repack a store room @ R150.00 a day plus lunch. He refused the job saying that he earned more on the street!!! ????”
- Unfortunately we will be disappointed from time to time especially when our charitable deeds are rejected. Luckily we know that we can only have control over our own reaction. If they do not want to be helped then it’s there business.
Maybe we cannot change the world, however we can change someone else’s world by being nice and remembering that they are still humans.
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
