There Is More To Helping The Needy Than Giving Money

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.