Written by JP Carlos
Have you
experienced walking pass by people sprawled on the sidewalk waiting for your
spare change? Have and it is
unsettling. In the Philippines, some
would go to public transport and hand you an envelope hoping that you’d give
some cash to them. Truth is, I do not
want to give cash to them. Although
refusing to give them cash breaks my heart, I know that it is for the
best.
Cash is not the way
I used to
take pity and outright give money to them.
But then I realized that I am not empowering them to become more
productive. Moreover, I have witnessed
physically capable individuals opting to beg on the streets than make a decent
living. By simply giving cash, I help
perpetuate their dependence. In
addition, I have seen street children who would rather use the money that they
get to buy solvents than buy food and their needs. In worse situations, they’d be seen gambling
whatever measly amount they have to buy drugs or illegal substances. To top it off, there have been reports that
some of these people who beg are actually part of syndicate. This just underscores the fact that poverty
has become so widespread that even some capitalize on it.
Alternative ways to help
Instead of
simply giving your lose change there are more sensible and better ways to help
those in need. Helping out in soup
kitchens offers a more fulfilling option.
Another alternative is to help out in shelters whenever you can. You
can also organize fund drives where you can donate whatever you can get to
organizations that cater to fight poverty.
In our community, we have livelihood programs that help teach the poor
essential skills to earn a living. And
if you are up for it, you can help advocate proper poverty policies in your
area. Who knows you can even help create
or influence change in legislation. The
point is there are better ways to helping the poor.
Poverty is
a worldwide concern. But we can fight it
when we provide sensible and practical means to empower the people. Moreover, when support pours in from
different people and places, there is hope to eliminate or at least mitigate
the poverty problems.
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