Doy you have beggers in your country?
By abroji
@abroji (3247)
India
May 21, 2007 7:45pm CST
Those who have visited India might have noticed that there are many beggers in India. Beggers are prohibited from entering trains, but you can see them in every train. Recently our municipal corporation has banned begging with in the limits of the city. The interesting thing is that most of them are not begging for themselves. There would be one gang leader. Under him there could be hundred or so beggers. He will deploy them in many centers of the city. Women will be carrying a child. These children are given a strong extract of tobaco, so that they get under sedation and sleep on the shoulder of the woman. These children are hired, from poor nomadic parents. In the evening the gang leader will pick them up. The money collected by them is taken by him and the beggers are paid wages. Such things happen here. So begging is an underground business here.
I always wonder if there are beggers in the developed countries. Would people give money to them there.
So please tell me
Do you have beggers in your country?
Do you pay to beggers?
If there are beggers in your country do the government have any rehabilitation programme for them?
Please mention the name of your counyty also.
14 people like this
55 responses
@bam001 (940)
• United States
22 May 07
We do have some beggers in the U.S. I live in a fairly small city and we see people standing at intersections with signs that say stuff like "Homeless, please help," and "Will Work for Food." With all of the social service organizations and shelters in the area, I really don't understand why they don't seek these places out. Many times, people will call our local law enforcement and they will come out and drive the beggars to a shelter.
@pu0228 (23)
• United States
22 May 07
I've heard that some begger steal kids and hurt them,cut their finger,make them disability and go to beggers. I don't know should I gave money to them. If they don't have money ,they will get nothing to eat but if they've money ,the mafia will spread.
2 people like this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
6 Jun 07
Yes, a favourite haunt of beggars here is the London Underground.
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
6 Jun 07
I mean the underground trains, that is what we call them here, the underground or the tube. Often there are beggars or buskers at the stations
all the best urban.
1 person likes this
@aretha (2538)
• United States
6 Jun 07
i live in the US and we have beggers. i used to live in a small town and i had never seen one until we moved here to the city and now we see them often. we had a man come to us for money telling us a sad story and we gave him money because we felt bad but never again. the next day my hubby had told some friends at work and they told him this same person is always out asking for money. we have had a couple people come to us for money but have learned and don't give anyone money. i am not sure what anyone does about it here but i know i won't hand out any more money.
1 person likes this
@ellie26 (4139)
• Malaysia
22 May 07
Hello abroji, yes we have beggars here in Malaysia but not that many. They like to go to eatery where they will go from table to table to ask for money. Sometimes out of pity, I give them some money. There are also beggars who are handicapped usually blind and lost one their limbs. They usually sit in the strategic places like the supermarket or high traffic area. I believe so that there are beggars who are paid wages by a syndicate here and I believe this syndicate uses children to do their dirty job. I am not aware of any rehabilitation program in my country but beggars are usually referred to the Welfare Department to deal with them.
1 person likes this
@ellie26 (4139)
• Malaysia
22 May 07
No. I only have my suspicion. Not long ago, there were children running around asking for money from the public. And strangely, these children are not from my country. We can tell from their features and the language they used when speaking to one another. But now, after it was highlighted in the newspaper, I dont see them running around anymore.
1 person likes this
@munhozmib (3837)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
23 May 07
Here in Brazil, we do have beggers. There are many beggers in the street, but mainly are just kids. Their parents send them to the streets to ask for money, and when they return, their parents take all their money to drink. Usually, that's what happens.
There is "Fome Zero", but it doesn't seem like it is helping. Not even a bit.
1 person likes this
@abroji (3247)
• India
4 Jun 07
Providing food only will not solve the problem. I don't know the nature of the people begging in your country, still I can sy that these people should totally be rehabilitated. With education to their children, houses for them and means of living. Providing food only will encourage them to continue with begging.
Thank you for the comment.
1 person likes this
@munhozmib (3837)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
28 May 07
"Fome Zero" provides basic foods to the poors. Only the really poor people. Anyway, even with that program, no one is stoping begging.
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
22 May 07
I live in America, the divide between rich and poor is growing every day.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
22 May 07
We do have people that are homeless and some that are just on the move and need a bit of food and maybe a ride to the next city. I don't see them around my area since I am rural although when I went to Cleveland a few years back there were a couple of guys in different spots with signs needing a job, ride, food. Many of us are not far from the same fate and it would behoove us to reach out and help another when we can. We might be on that end of the stick someday. I hope for your sake you never are.
1 person likes this
@abroji (3247)
• India
22 May 07
What you say are poor people only. They are not real beggers. When I say beggers they are proffessional beggers. They beg the full day. People asking for some food or a lift cannot be considered beggers.
willowlady, don't get dejected. Be optimistic. Life is full of risks and challenge. We have to face them. Hope for the best. Life is full of opportunities too.
Thank you.
@diansinta (7544)
• Indonesia
22 May 08
Indonesia is more similar like that. Beggar every where. Some got mafia in it so they rent baby and kids to use for begging people. Some have a make up artist to dress them as poor as possible. One friend of mine tell one beggar go home with a bus, to a luxurious comfort house. I was sick to hear that. I stop to give my change to them and move it to my mosque. Real Orphan children are really need it that a spoil old man begging in the streets. Some beggar parents makes their children beg on the street too. What kind of parent could do to their child like that? why teach the young filty skill like that? that is why i stop giving beggar at streets and donate my changes money on mosque.
@megaplaza (1441)
• Nigeria
22 May 08
i guess beggars are all over the world, sometimes is good to help them, but here in nigeria some ritualist pretend to be beggars and when you give them alm in any form, like money or clothes, they will use it to make you lose money and the money you earn will come back to them.
1 person likes this
@franxexces (1096)
• Philippines
22 May 07
yes we have beggars here.. a lot of beggars since our country is suffering from poverty. I hate to see beggars all over the street. I'm scared of this group of beggars called badjaos.. they are form my country but not from my city but are in my city to beg. They are dark with yellow hair because of the sun and because of bathing in the ocean.. They are really dirty beggars and they are bad too. They would often run after you when you don't give them money so sometimes you are forced to give them just so they would get out of your sight. I give alms to beggars who are not able bodied but to those who are able-bodied oh why would I give them when they are capable of working.. By the way my country is Philippines.
@el_jeffo (750)
• Philippines
22 May 07
Here in the Philippines there are lots of beggars, and they can get uncomfortably intrusive too. Sometimes they would touch you and won't stop until you give them money or you yell at them to go away. Other times, while eating outside, they would ask permission from you if they can take your drink and do not wait for your response to take it. It even happens in the bus and on the street. I want to feel sorry for them, but I know most of them belong to syndicates too.
1 person likes this
@el_jeffo (750)
• Philippines
22 May 07
It is, and the gang leaders condition the beggars so that they believe that they cant survive without them. This is why whenever I simply have to give something to a beggar, I give him food or drink. It makes them equally happy, and is much better than giving them a few coins that they can't buy anything with.
1 person likes this
@TheManager24 (1302)
• Philippines
22 May 08
well, we have the anti-mendicancy law in the philippines. but beggars seem to be inevitable - due to economic situations or will issue of the people. i do give to beggars at times, but i would rather course through the department of social welfare.
good day!
@banta78 (4326)
• India
12 Jun 07
Yes i live in India and one can sight beggars at public palces, road crossings, traffic lights, places of worship... they are everywhere. I don't pay beggars as i feel this is not the right to help them. We should help them get some jobs or work so that they can earn for their own. That will help get them some self respect, and dignity of labour will be valued in the country. Moreover govt. also discourages giving alms to beggars.
@asmurthy (2461)
• India
20 Jun 07
Generally, the elderly, the disabled, and the unemployed take to begging. Folks who were robbed during their pilgrimage, temporarily beg to return home. The lepers and destitute graduate to this profession. From beggars who cry in front of you asking for food to entertainers who beg with the help of pets and children, most homeless fall into the category of beggars with more or less the same yard stick.
@mae1216 (658)
• Philippines
12 Jun 07
There are alot of beggars in my country. Some of them are from provinces and looking for opportunity in the city. and, unfortunately they were not able to find it and they turned into beggars. Also, these type of people reflects to the economy of the country, and I believe that my country is poor because even those with good job are having a hard time to earn and save more money.
@sassinqueen (710)
• United States
11 Jun 07
It would appear to me that if a "gang" leader can organize and deploy these people for the purpose of begging than someone should be able to organize them for the deployment of something else benefical to them and your society.
@aaamm3003 (398)
• India
12 Jun 07
i am an indian, and i frankly tell you that till now India is not much developed still i find a lot of beggers in my country and i wish that someday i look around for a begger and i dont find one
1 person likes this
@bdkiller (201)
• United States
8 May 08
i am in the u.s right now. they do have beggars here...they have signs that says
"im hungry"
"please give me money i dont have job"
one time there was this lady who approached us and asked us to spare her money because she needs to buy tampoons...weird huh...and that was super early in the morning like around 7 am.
