Why Do People Beg? Why Do You Give

What is it that makes a mother trade her child for a motorcycle? What is it that makes a woman put her body on the streets for sale? Why would a lady put her integrity at stake? Is it for a few dollars? Could poverty be the reason for this season of unholy wont?

Africans are a communal people by culture. Western Education is an individualistic approach to living. For example, in ancient times, a family is banished for the sins of one adult in the house hold. Today, an individual is punished for the sins of a family.

The rate of street begging has taken a steep dive in our country, in particular, Enugu state. From the Pulpit beggars (most tricky) to the official beggars (most endangered) the surge is alarming.

Take a walk to Ogbete market, Ogige market, front of big churches and cathedrals, beggars are everywhere.

The question is why do people beg? Is it because they don’t have? Or because they can’t produce what they need to survive? Ever been in a classroom and a man comes to beg from you? Have you met the Pastor beggars at Motor parks? The Sick beggars in classrooms? The cooperate beggars that approach you with “excuse me sir/ma?” Everywhere, we find these people.

In my analogy of the situation, I have uncovered that the only reason for begging is because people give! Yes, it is because we are a giving community that’s why begging is a thriving profession. Begging is more pronounced in the north because giving is more due to religious mandate. Beggars are found in churches because alms giving is encouraged in the church.

Do you know that there is a psychology to begging? There are skills involved? For example, most smart beggars in Lagos ply their trade in the morning when Lagosians are going to work. They pray for your safe trip, wish you well in your day’s endeavor only so you can part with a portion of your hard earned money.

In school they pray for you to succeed in exams, the wicked lecturers will never be your portion, cultists will not find you. And each beggar has a “genuine “story to tell.

There is a sector in the begging industry that I hate. It is the Child-fronting sector. A woman will carry a baby less than a year under the scorching sun, hoping that people will sympathize with her and drop some money. Indeed, affectionate Nigerians like you and I do drop more out of pity for the innocent baby but to what effect? She comes back to the same spot the next day with more babies!

The Niger version is the use of FEMALE toddlers to molest people in the market. Perhaps because she is a female and she is little, you are moved to give or maybe she has held on to your dress for too long. But to what effect? He calls his brother in Niger and tells him that the ministry here is moving to permanent site. And the beggars continue to multiply.

Don’t get me wrong, I give and I feel happier after giving. But whenever I am not giving, I wonder why people are begging. I have seen disabled people excel, the blind students, the lame musicians. The deaf trader. There are lots of disabled artisans.

Why do people beg?