Reality Check: Vagrants earnings everyday....
By Firefly
@cttolledo (5454)
Legaspi, Philippines
March 5, 2013 9:25am CST
In the Philippines , it is very normal to see vagrants at the street, along bridges,hallways, pathways and terminals, that is their favorite places to stand by and beg for food or money.
Have you ever imagine how much they earned everyday?
In one afternoon, while waiting for my friends, We parked the CAR besides pathway of the mall, while I am sitting inside the CAR i notice a mid-age a poor woman sitting on the pathway and beg for money. Out of my curiousity I tried to count all the person walking on that pathway and count also how many of them gave money to that woman.. and the result:
...out of 280 persons only 8 were good samaritan- who gave money for that woman.
... out of that 8 only 2 were girls.
I just cant imagine how those vagrants will able to cope up with that kind of situation , she look tired since she raised her hand for 280 times but only 8 gave her money..I am just curious if she earns enough for her food everyday. Politicians for this coming election should focus on this they should know that a lot of people are poor.
You might not think of that.. but try to stop and observe..look at their struggle in life. Did you ever think of them guys?
3 people like this
8 responses
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
6 Mar 13
The Philippines has anti-mendicancy laws, now enforcing it is a different thing, think we should let proper authorities like the DSWD take care of problems like this. I admire your effort to observe, but if you are to have an accurate statistical study, then you would have to observe for weeks, maybe even months to get an accurate data, you should even have to put into consideration holidays and weekends, you cannot draw a conclusion for being simply there the whole day and observing a lone and isolated Vagrant, sorry but it is simply inconclusive or a basis to draw up a whole picture
1 person likes this
@cttolledo (5454)
• Legaspi, Philippines
6 Mar 13
Hi louievill...
I know it's not an accurate survey and indeed a serious one.. just sharing my experience on that day and just sharing my opinion based on that scenario.. that counting happened by accident.If you guys want an accurate and survey results, then DSWD knows it.Thanks
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
6 Mar 13
That's what I am supposed to say. We should not base our conclusion from that picture alone.
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
5 Mar 13
As much as we pity them, giving them alms isn't actually going to help them any. They clearly need help, but it is the kind of help that cannot be resolved by a few coins and bills dropped in her hands. If ever, this act of charity might even motivate her and the others even more to beg on the streets and risk getting sick because of the elements, or risk getting run over by vehicles. I wonder if they still have family and how can they even think of their elderly or young kids do this kind of thing.
@cttolledo (5454)
• Legaspi, Philippines
6 Mar 13
Yes what they need is not a temporary help, but a long lasting help.. like job maybe...
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
7 Mar 13
At this very moment I do not know if politicians thinks about their welfare since at this time of the year they would be focusing on those that can be converted into votes and these street vagrants are of no value for them right now since I know they could not vote for them.
Yeah I can see your point I guess I think that these people really need help from our government as well despite they are already considered of no use to us since they seem to just loiter around to beg. But I think DSWD is the one that should be responsible for these people some are just not willing to be taken cared and just wants to go and beg in the streets.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
8 Mar 13
Vagrants are earning more than what we think... there is no investment involve in what they are doing... they get money just by simply raising their hands... i remember when i gave food to two vagrants... one even complained because the other one got more food... and i immediately reprimanded him... because instead of saying thank you... he blurted out no so nice words...
As much as possible... if i can help it... i try not give a single cent to vagrants... but there are instances that my heart would cry and i simply cannot resist giving something... may it be food or money...
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
6 Mar 13
The government is doing its best in order to address this problem in our society. in fact the government is extending help to those less fortunate families through this 4Ps program.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
5 Mar 13
we have the same problems here in Mexico. Many are here with out jobs. I hate to see so many doing this on the streets.
@cttolledo (5454)
• Legaspi, Philippines
6 Mar 13
Really..i am just curious with the economic status of your country, just wanted to know if your country is same with my country in terms of economic aspect.
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
5 Mar 13
I am glad you took notice of these deprived creatures of the earth. Only those with real hearts can see.
The vagrants on the streets, begging for alms is a social problem. We hope that comes a time that they do not have to ask for alms. Yet, beggars had been there for thousands of years. As there are the rich and the powerful, so there are the lowly and the deprived.
We give because we know that life had been cruel and miserable for these people. We give because we know that if we don't, they would go hungry through the night. We give because these people have souls just like us, hoping that our existence here on earth could find meaning.
Those who take advantage of the paupers is another story.
@fearlessgara (1113)
• Philippines
6 Mar 13
that is normal even during the time of old and new testament that is already exist.Evnen Jesus do teach us how to give on beggars,He said if you give give it secretly so that God in heaven will also reward you secretly.If you give them and announce them in public you already have your reward and God do not appreciate it.The kingdom of Heaven is much closer to this kind of people than to those who are ich.God also said what you did to these people you did to God. On how you measure this people This is also how God will also measure you. and why 8 only give because good samaritan and true christian exist nowadays even before.Only few are good ones and do follow God's commandment which is love one another.Most of them only eat once a day .I also can't imagine not only how they survive for living but also where do they sleep during rainy season.
