Giving beggars money helps break up families and leave children destitute. At least on most streets of the little towns of South Africa. Our streets overflow with beggars. They all feed a habit - mostly drinking - and not their hungry children. It is devastating to see. Even more frustrating is the fact that most do not want to work to look after their families but prefer wandering their usual haunts badgering people for money. While we will buy them food or a pair of shoes we never give money. Money keeps the beggars drunk and the children starving. In such a beautiful part of the world - with so many farmers looking for willing hands it is hard to reconcile the beauty with starving orphans.
One of the few local men that drinks (but is hardworking) is highly talented. We hire him to help with maintenance, put up new fencing or relay irrigation. He truly is a jack-of-all-trades and has a gentle spirit. He also comes with a large family to feed plus children to school. This means we cannot hire him on a full time basis as he costs far more than we can afford. Instead we have found him permanent work on numerous occasions and yet the inclination to binge drink helps him make his decisions.
To make extra money Lewis takes his oldest sons into the overgrown black wattles to clear farmlands. The youngest saplings are stripped and dried to use in the fencing as droppers.
It is hard and backbreaking work for very little money. But at least it is work and puts bread on the table.
There is always work for a fencer in these farm communities. Those that do work on the farms help get produce to the markets.
If only more fathers and mothers of poor children would put in a hard days work.
It seems strange that a parent wouldn't do anything to feed and clothe their children. I have run two businesses and cope on very little sleep to ensure my children never go hungry.
So it upsets me that I get fists waved in my face when I decline giving money to those that will not work but want hand outs. We will always go that extra mile .... and more for those that take responsibility.
Thank you 