Woman begging in Sarajevo

Woman begging in Sarajevo

Beyond the carefully curated tours and excursions, lies another world. Reality. The reality of survival and pain. A battle between the haves and the have-nots. Make no mistake, a concerted effort has been made to hide this reality. Try as they might, governments can’t hide the reality of poverty. And tourist are forced to deal with this world, like it or not. But how do you “deal” with this poverty? What do you do when you’re approach by a little old lady selling flowers or a blind child begging? I don’t have an easy answer. But what I do have is a bit of insight to share which may make your decision easier.

St.Annes Church Vilnius Lithuania Beggar

St.Annes Church Vilnius Lithuania Beggar

Compassion isn’t a Crime

How can we just turn off compassion? Media has perfected “othering” and we constantly complain about it. Yet we dehumanize those who need the most help. I have to believe that most people aren’t this cold. This jaded. This easily manipulated. Let’s look at the numbers. Almost half of the world’s population lives in poverty. This means they “survive”, and I use that word loosely, on less than $2.50. Of that almost 3 billion, 1.3 billion live in extreme poverty. Below $1.25 a day. According to UNICEF, about 22,000 children die from poverty a day.
I felt the numbers are a good place to start this dialogue because it puts things in perspective. Think, when was the last time you wasted food or water? When was the last time you complained about your apartment or home not being big enough? I’m not here to make you feel guilty. What I want people to do is understand that there are billions of people that could use just a little bit of help. Let me put this in a bit of perspective. It’s estimated that it will take 30 Billion a year to eradicate hunger globally. The US spends 737 Billion a year on defense. Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh.
Being American my frustration tends to target us, but this is global. It’s a failure of basic humanity. We can pontificate about economics, responsibility, or faith. But in the end we are all human. And the ability to help others is one of the greatest gifts. And yes, a social responsibility. We should be judged by our inaction.

Man Takes care of cats in Istanbul

Man Takes care of cats in Istanbul

Reality of Poverty Gangs

In 2008, the Danny Boyle film Slumdog Millionaire took the world by storm. Not only because of the excellent directing and story but because it brought to the forefront the reality of begging gangs. This reality didn’t only play out on screen but in real life as well. It was soon discovered the level of squalor the young actors were living in despite this film’s success. Pointing to a cycle of poverty in India, that has long been hidden. So I have several friends in the travel industry that are adamant about not giving anything to beggars or “street hustlers”. EVER!!! The most common argument, I don’t want to contribute to the beggar gangs. I tend to roll my eyes at this point but it’s a valid argument. And here’s why.

Begging in many parts of the world is a business. Children are used by gangs, some having been sold by their families, to panhandle in crowded tourist areas. Disabled children are considered more valuable to gangs because they can bring in more money. Sometimes, children are intentionally disabled by these gangs. This is quite prevalent all around the world but especially so in India,Bangladesh,Nepal and China. Beggar gangs are very real. Many governments aren’t doing a thing about them due to corruption and fear. My counter, how do you know who and who isn’t part of these gangs?

In reality, you don’t. So the choice is a personal and difficult one. You don’t have to feel guilty for not doing something. It’s your prerogative. But don’t use false claims and overall generalizations to defend your position. In the US alone there are millions of people on the streets whom aren’t part of any beggar scam. The same can be said of a vast majority of the almost 3 billion impoverished.

Man begging in Skopje

Man begging in Skopje

Poverty From The Inside

In an effort to save money, my mother would have the gas disconnected in the summers. We would use an electric hotplate to heat water to bathe and cook. Often, our diets consisted of Ramen noodles and hot dogs. For breakfast lunch and dinner. Try as she might, my mother had a hell of a time raising us. And this is in the first world. A so called world power. Yet half of school-aged children live below the poverty line in the US. Armed with my experience growing up the way I did, the guilt weighs on me.

Homeless Woman Sits in Time Square NYC

Homeless Woman Sits in Time Square NYC

Do I have a responsibility to do more? Am I part of the problem? What can I do? It’s one thing to come from a world of well-manicured lawns and nannies. But for those of us whom truly have “made it out” and understand the cycle of poverty from experience, the image of a starving child is very real. My heart aches whenever I walk pass someone missing a limb begging in the streets of Sarajevo. Of a dirty child wasting away in India. But as I said above, how am I supposed to know if this is part of a beggar gangs plan?

 

Man Begging in Prague

Man Begging in Prague

Privilege Recognition is a Damn Good Start

Too often the word “privilege” is thrown around by westerners like some trump card. From sexism to racism, we are quick to play the victim while rarely acknowledging the reality of our own circumstances. I say this without hesitation or reservation. Those of us in the west. The ones who are blessed to travel, have smartphones, flat screen TVs, hot meals daily, a warm home, need to stop. Just stop complaining constantly about being victims. About being ignored and oppressed. At least for a bit.

In that momentary silence, because in reality we will never stop bitching and complaining, reflect. And I don’t mean the random Facebook meme you post to appear enlightened and progressive. Reflect on those born into situations they truly can’t control. Countries without stable governments. Families without money to buy shoes. Those born in warzones. People whose lives are at risk for seeking an education. Just shut up and think. Please. WE have the ability and power to change things and help people.

Man and his dog in Vilnius Lithuania

Man and his dog in Vilnius Lithuania

Homeless people Sleeping on the streets in Kuala Lumpur

Homeless people Sleeping on the streets in Kuala Lumpur

I’m Part of The Problem

I feel a special connection to those selling something or working as opposed to those begging. I won’t sit here and claim to be the most giving person. The same questions nag me that bother others. Where is my money going? What choices did this person make to end up this way? Am I contributing to the suffering of this child by perpetuating a cycle of begging? Honestly, I can’t answer any of these and address each situation on a case by case basis. But there are two groups who almost always get me. Those working and old women.

Shining shoes or selling tissues, I feel a special kinship with those providing a service. At least I feel like I received something in a fair trade. Naïve as it may be, I find it far better than someone just begging for money. How quick are we to give Girl Scouts money for cookies we really don’t need but turn our nose up at a person offer to get on their knees to clean our shoes?

In many cases, unscrupulous individuals have figured this fact out. Our connection to loved ones is, at times, our greatest weakness and makes us vulnerable to scams. I see my grandmother whenever I see an elderly woman begging. Regardless if she’s playing my emotions or truly destitute, she’s getting something from me. A bit selfishness on my part I admit. But isn’t all philanthropy based in some emotional attachment to a cause?

Homeless person sleeping outside Milan Train Station Italy

Homeless person sleeping outside Milan Train Station Italy

How Can You Help?

Below I’ll post links to all my sources as well as several organizations I support and have worked with in the past. Beyond giving, I ask this one thing. THINK. As this post is going up on Thanksgiving, reflect on your privilege. Reflect and appreciate what you have. Ask yourself, how would you like to be treated if you found yourself homeless and without support. Beyond all else, care about people.

Lastly, pick a cause to champion. Water Accessibility in Africa. Child Hunger. Women’s Education. Homeless Vets. Choose something to get behind that not only speaks to you but helps those in need.

Homeless man Sleeps on Broadway NYC

Homeless man Sleeps on Broadway NYC

 

http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/04/gang-profits-from-maimed-child-beggars/
http://www.endpoverty2015.org/
http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm
https://www.savethechildren.net/
https://www.onedrop.org/en/
http://woundedwarriorhomes.org/