Radar | May 18,2019
Feb 26 , 2022
By Kidist Yidnekachew
It is hard to ignore the rising number of homeless children on the streets of Addis Abeba. They are often running around begging for someone to buy them bread. It feels bad when we cannot give them anything. It is an indictment on our society that we cannot address the crisis of children going hungry.
For the most part, we tend to ignore them or perceive them as threats that could steal. I have seen some trying to steal. A passenger sitting by an open window in a taxi is a prime target. One time, a small boy attempted to grab this lady’s bag and run. It is unfortunate that they have been dragged into crime at such a young age. It is more heartbreaking to see them smoke and sniff glue to keep warm.
These days, more of them are asking for a bottle of water and, oftentimes, people oblige them.
Sometimes, I give them a bottle of water. Other times I do not. This is because I need to take a bottle of water to work. Since my bag is too small to fit a container for a litre of water, I need to hold it in my hands when I commute. I also get thirsty walking in the sun; I am one of those people who cannot walk a mile without sipping water. Making matters worse, there may not be a kiosk nearby to buy bottled water if I give up the one I bring with me.
Thus, when children or youth on the streets ask me to give them water, I tell them that I need it. I feel bad, but I do not have a choice. I prefer to give them change if I have it.
“Really, you can’t give us that,” is the look they often throw back at me.
I try not to look at them; if I do, I will end up giving them my bottled water out of guilt. But sometimes, the exchange turns into something else. The other day a woman who is probably in her late twenties asked me to give her my bottle of water. I refused as politely as possible, but she insulted me. It was rude and inappropriate.
She felt that I was being mean. It was not true. Looking after one’s self and interests is not being mean. Had I had another bottle of water or were there a kiosk nearby, I would have given it to her, but there was not. It was not stinginess but pragmatism on my part.
Most people who help the less fortunate do it discretely. I would not use the word “help” in my case but I used to give change to homeless people on the streets before I learned some of them do not need it to buy meals but are either too lazy to work or have a substance addiction. Also, some make it look like it is an obligation to give them cash, insulting those that pass them by without giving them change. They do not consider that others could also be facing financial problems because the clothes on their back are not torn or dirty. Everybody has their own battles; some less than others but they are still battles.
It is not debatable that giving change to homeless people will not lift them out of poverty. There needs to be a more concerted effort to provide social welfare, especially in the areas of education, healthcare and housing. Giving them change can provide temporary relief but it will take a village to ensure that they are permanently off the streets.
PUBLISHED ON
Feb 26,2022 [ VOL
22 , NO
1139]
Radar | May 18,2019
Radar | Sep 21,2019
In-Picture | Nov 03,2024
Radar | Jan 09,2024
Fortune News | May 11,2019
Radar | Jul 08,2023
Fortune News | Feb 08,2020
Radar | Jul 01,2023
Radar | Sep 10,2023
Fortune News | Apr 28,2024
My Opinion | 125676 Views | Aug 14,2021
My Opinion | 121804 Views | Aug 21,2021
My Opinion | 119980 Views | Sep 10,2021
My Opinion | 117907 Views | Aug 07,2021
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Mar 9 , 2025
Five years ago, 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), together with 40 allies acr...
Mar 2 , 2025
The domestic economy has endured a punishing half-decade. A global pandemic throttled...
Feb 23 , 2025
Africa is a place where the frustrations of its elites run high due to what they feel...
Feb 16 , 2025
Madame Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IM...
The producer of ‘Arki' water, SBG Industry Plc has been forced to suspend operation...
Mar 9 , 2025 . By AKSAH ITALO
Kegna Beverages S.C. is making a 250 million dollar investment in the beer market, as...
Mar 9 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
A bill mandating an international financial reporting standard has intensified the fr...
Brook Taye (PhD), CEO of Ethiopian Investment Holdings, has announced the appointment...
Loading your updates...