Beggar problem

I REFER to Suresh Chand’s letter in FT 10/04. I may be able to assist.

One Friday, two months ago in Tavua Town, I saw a gentleman holding out a piece of paper (letters too small to read), looking very sad and pitiful, basically asking for money to everyone passing by.

Two days later, as I was standing at the cashier in a shop in Nadi, I saw the same gentleman, all smiles bringing six large bottles of beer to the counter.

The Assistant Minister for Women says some beggars are addicted to the street in spite of the great assistance provided by the beggar operations team, however, beggars do not want to come out of that situation. I believe beggars will continue returning to the streets so long as people keep tossing them coins.

People usually feel some sense of conviction to give money to those who are sitting on the streets with their hands out.

The thought process for some of us might be – I’m going to go home and have a nice meal, a bed to sleep on, a roof over my head and a blanket to keep me warm when it gets cold. Most beggars probably don’t.

So we keep giving money and beggars keep returning to beg. Therein lies our problem. If the relevant ministry offers assistance by getting beggars off the streets, offers them food and other assistance, the only other safe conclusion to heading back to the streets is because it’s easier to beg.

On another note, it would be interesting and helpful to have a survey conducted on why beggars continue begging so that we can get to the root of the problem and thereafter discuss and develop solutions.

V. DIROIROI

Nadi