Stop giving money on the streets !!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Vik Bagai on November 26, 2008 at 6:28am

we are developing a worldwide distribution of self powered solar green houses to produce food for the poor. I think this is a way for the poor to be fed. Not sure how we are gong to fund the distribution However we need information on the world pockets of poverty that we need to ship to ! My first distribution center is ready in Accra Ghana !

Permalink Reply by luisella valeri on December 3, 2008 at 11:04am

I'm interesting in this project. May have more informations, please?
luisella

Permalink Reply by Chenae on November 28, 2008 at 11:04pm

I totally disagree. I keep some of whatever Ihave as tithe to pas on ...I try to do in a way that allows dignity. To share when asked is to remain human. I have had to ask at times myself.
I recently had my heart broken by a disturbed young woman asking for money for sanitary pads, and crying that she just wanted a place to ge t clean. I was only able to find her a place for the morning, but yes i did give her what money I had. And I do not care if it was "true".
Longer range solutions are absolutely necessary, but immediate response to immediate need is the core of our humanity.
Bless
Chenae

Permalink Reply by Benedict Schüssler on November 29, 2008 at 4:55am

Hmm... it's not easy.

I got the chance to visit Sofia in Bulgaria. As my family and me was sitting in a pizzaria outside along the street I saw right behind the corner how a black Jaguar stops. The door opens and a woman in rags and a small baby in her arm came out. The car drove away. She was standing there for a few minutes leaned on the wall. And then she started begging. Befor she came to our table I maked my family recognizing that.
If I hadn't seen how she arrived there, I realy whould have beleved in her begging eyes.
Well... she didn't get money from us. But who knows what trouble she gets, when she is not bringing enough money.

I agree that you need to take care of the people otherwise. But how?

Permalink Reply by Chenae on November 29, 2008 at 6:18pm

Yes, who knows the whole story?
I did Welfare Rights organizing in this country many years ago. There was a persistent myth called the "Welfare Cadillac"
I traced this down..and found the story of a woman who had been given a nice car by private charities to enable her to vist her brain impaired child who had been instituionalized many hundreds of miles from where she and her other children lived .
I think the questions we should ask ourselves are about our own right to judgement. There are thieves.Many of them live in Mansions and wear very nice clothes. Do we think people are poor because they have made some mistake? Some say it is their "Karma". I think these are all new forms of blaming the victim.
I would rather choose to believe those who beg. It is my concious choice.. I think that we have become very confused about money and its relationship to human worth.
Yes, teach a man to fish. But while you are teaching him.. give him bread and water to live.
I just wrote aletter to the Obama transition team. I think that their ambisious job creation program is wonderful. They are talking about creating 2.5 million jobs in the next two years. This will give dignity to many who are desperate. If they can stay alive . We must do short and long range solutions. That may mean giving money on the street knowing it may not be used in the wisest way, But it may. beyond the material reality, communicate connection and compassion
Bless

Permalink Reply by Benedict Schüssler on November 30, 2008 at 5:19am

I like your constructive approaches, Chenae. =)

I was in Bulgaria, where curruption is everyday life. And I guess the situation is diffrent in the US and in countries, where the mafia is occupied.
When help is needed, you simply have to use your savvy to analize what is best in each specific situation.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Shaw on January 3, 2009 at 8:42am

"When help is needed, you simply have to use your savvy to analize what is best in each specific situation."

Yes! I think this is the case.

Permalink Reply by theresnopeaceintheworld on November 30, 2008 at 11:12am

giving money out on the streets is one of my favorite hobbies

Permalink Reply by luisella valeri on December 3, 2008 at 11:33am

There is a little story that says we have to donate the fish to the hungrey person but also to teach him how to fish (San Francesco d'Assisi).
I'm living in Genoa, a multietnic town with many emigrants, not all by legacy, and many have hungry and big problems for all, they look for works, but there is not legal work for them and the situation is inhuman. I live in the Old Town and many are my friends. I haven't the possibility to give work or house or other to live as civil human, and so I give them money for food, for a coffe in cold days, medicines, clothes, I translate for them (often from French, many become from Africa and at home have well studied at French School and often they become from University), I speak with them. We haven't good Governement in this period and poor persons suffer more. Those persons leaved their nations for war, dictatorial politics, hungry or for give life to their children and old parents (they have a respect for them we have to learn!). We have to help them if Governement don't make it. I am Italian and my people many times went for the same reasons immigrate in other Nations and in the first time not all with legacy.
For Peace we have to help them in fraternity also giving money in the road (often they haven't house) but not only, it is just the first step. The second step is to work for Human Rights and asking our Governement to make the right step giving with laws work, house, education, school, sanity...yes, I speak as Italian...
A poor person once gave me as a present a small picture he found in trash...what a beautiful present! I don't forget his smile! He give to me his hearth full of gratitude!

Permalink Reply by Chenae on December 3, 2008 at 2:41pm

Luisalia,
What a beatiful soul you are.
I think that while it is absolutley necessary to reorganize our socities so that such extreme economic disparities no longer exist,,, It is very important that we remain open and human wih those we meet in every moment. People on the strreet are delighted to tell their stories and there are many interesting ones.
I met a dog on a local food line. His owner is an artist who suffers from bipolar disorder, and ends up jailed for creating art in what the athorities inappropriae places. The dog, Rainbow, is looked after by local street people. He carries a can of dog foood around in his mouth until someone with a can opener gives him shelter and replaces the can. He sits and lays the can between his front feet. The trust , beauty and sommunal love in this small story amazes me,
The Churches have aught us to give through organized forms, alleviating our guilt, but damaging the realand now magic of love that occurs between our loving species
Blessed Be

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Shaw on January 3, 2009 at 8:37am

Some people who are on the street do not have contact with the organizations because they are too fearful, proud or ashamed to do so. It is minus 20 degrees C here tonight and there are people sleeping outside because they prefer that to going to a shelter. For some, begging is an act of independence. For them, going to an office to fill out forms and and so on is another kick in the face. Like, Chenae, I had a woman approach me for sanitary supplies. I happened to have some with me, so I gave them to her. Sometimes people do not need the services of an organization, just a little help from a fellow human.

Permalink Reply by Dave Streater on January 11, 2009 at 6:20pm

I sure can't give much money, since I rarely have any to give, but if when do it's always a hard thing to ascertain whether there is a real need, or if it's an instance of "professional money grubbing", which I imagine can be quite lucrative..... Of course, professional money-grubbing is probably the biggest industry in ...'amerika'...-- it's about all there is; the only ..'industry'... left, really--,if you look at things more broadly! If I ever had any dough I'd rather give it toi somebody that needs it than have the it grubbed by the corporate dictatorship..... But we've got to do what we can, until the horrible wrongs in ..'society'.. are fixed!
BCDave