tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post1806074896821440861..comments2024-03-15T23:39:29.134-08:00Comments on Scribbit | Motherhood in Alaska: Poverty in IndiaScribbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03178711182424809035noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-31775717380608705722010-06-09T04:19:48.626-08:002010-06-09T04:19:48.626-08:00Another fascinating insight.
I have the same mixe...Another fascinating insight.<br /><br />I have the same mixed emotions, wanting to help, but not sure if direct giving is the way to go.<br /><br />When on holiday in Paris, there were always some begging near our hotel. On our last day, as we were leaving, I packed up all our remaining snacks, drinks and fruit (we had a fridge in our hotel room) and handed it to a man in the street before we left. He was surprised and delighted, and was happily munching on an apple and waving as we drove away. At least he ate well that day. It still left me with mixed emotions - I had helped only one person on one day, and there are so many, but it is a start.<br /><br />Here in N Ireland there is a little, but not on the same scale as other places we have visted.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06833388514253606318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-21507817159327971602010-06-09T00:51:41.485-08:002010-06-09T00:51:41.485-08:00On a personal level, I give food or clothes to str...On a personal level, I give food or clothes to strangers who want help, but I give money to a large latter-day saint organization that is well-known for helping the poor and victims of natural disaster.<br /><br />We can avoid giving money directly to strangers and give them the physical things they need instead. We can even go with them to pay their utility bills, or take them to the doctor when needed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-19494221782190063362010-06-09T00:51:03.553-08:002010-06-09T00:51:03.553-08:00On a personal level, I give food or clothes to str...On a personal level, I give food or clothes to strangers who want help, but I give money to a large latter-day saint organization that is well-known for helping the poor and victims of natural disaster.<br /><br />We can avoid giving money directly to strangers and give them the physical things they need instead. We can even go with them to pay their utility bills, or take them to the doctor when needed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-44826516563725269882010-06-08T11:23:28.390-08:002010-06-08T11:23:28.390-08:00This is a beautiful post. I think we all get caug...This is a beautiful post. I think we all get caught up in the business of being casual to the details around us and when we are aware, we're unsure 'how' to help. I often think when I travel somewhere else 'how can people ignore what's right in front of them?' and then I come home and find I do it too, just in a different way. Your post has inspired me today...thank you. And I have to agree, God will sort out the details and it's imperative that I remember that I am also a beggar for the mercy and grace of the Lord. I also know that I will be asked by Him, 'were you a wise and faithful servant with the gifts and talents I gave you? Or, were you slothful and careless when you could have blessed others when I gave you so much?MrsPrincesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05752987260953871142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-60459868283498798042010-06-07T22:23:18.187-08:002010-06-07T22:23:18.187-08:00Your last line was beautiful. I feel the same way....Your last line was beautiful. I feel the same way. Sometimes I question whether people really need the money and whether money really helps, but then I remind myself that God can "sort out the details." Better to give than to judge.<br /><br />stephanie@metropolitanmama.netStephaniehttp://metropolitanmama.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-9789966153468440072010-06-06T09:28:36.699-08:002010-06-06T09:28:36.699-08:00That kind of extreme poverty is just something you...That kind of extreme poverty is just something you don't really see in the states. We lived near the trash pickers compound in Jakarta. Whole families, generations of the same family, lived there and made a living of sorts by sorting though trash looking for those items the could be sold so they could make a little money or those items they could reuse themselves. It was horrible but to an extent you do become numb when you see it day and day out. <br /><br />It is life changing to see this kind of poverty and makes me profoundly grateful for the accident of being born in a country where I have so many opportunities that millions will never have.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110115324050851439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-28954667064960724372010-06-05T03:05:38.081-08:002010-06-05T03:05:38.081-08:00I can't imagine. Truly. And I think you come...I can't imagine. Truly. And I think you come to the right conclusion at the end. We were discussing this in Bible Study this week. Not that I hand money to every beggar that I see, but I think sometimes we are called to give out of generosity without knowing where the money goes. Ideally we give thru organizations I trust like Compassion, but even with that, there is a certain level of trust that we have that it goes to good use, but we'll never really know. Still, it is good to give. <br /><br />I linked to this post today.Musings of a Housewifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09854615817486354491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-79222612440689703122010-06-04T13:14:08.579-08:002010-06-04T13:14:08.579-08:00I'm with you on this one. When I first moved ...I'm with you on this one. When I first moved to the west coast of Canada, I gave beggars money more than once. They were always near the grocery store. At Christmas, we drove all over town to give them a hot meal I'd stashed in a gift bag with a homemade scarf. And then I was here for a few years and discovered the chronic "stranded and homeless anything helps" guys. Some even worked in shifts. I found myself getting irritated the other day when I came out of the grocery store only to see my husband giving some guy money out of the window of our '92 Jetta. I was pretty sure my husband was getting scammed and that we were just enabling more of the drug and alcohol problems that are so rampant in our area among the homeless.<br /><br />But then my husband said that it was the cheapest surgery he's ever had. He said that for the small amount he gave that guy, God gave him heart surgery, helping him keep a soft heart even if that guy really was scamming him. I was still irritated, but over time realized that maybe we are just called to give grace and mercy, and not worry about judging the guy. It's hard to know what to do. But my husband figures we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and we get to let Jesus figure out the rest of the issue with the person whose problems are bigger than we can possibly fix.<br /><br />He and I would be mush if we'd been in India with you. I can't even begin to imagine what that must have been like.Inklinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02775312085301951675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-4329023380567831532010-06-04T12:48:37.354-08:002010-06-04T12:48:37.354-08:00Michelle,
I love your final statement, that you ...Michelle, <br /><br />I love your final statement, that you will let God work out the details. That is the only thing we can know for sure when we offer our help to those in need. <br /><br />What will they do with it, will it be used for drugs or alcohol? Only God does, and as long as we do the will of God and take care of the poor, He will work out the details. <br /><br />Love and Hugs ~ KatHeart2Hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05240536955573366802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-71504026923995204672010-06-04T12:32:37.783-08:002010-06-04T12:32:37.783-08:00Beautifully written and so moving. All we can do i...Beautifully written and so moving. All we can do is our best, and pray that it's blessed.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11117084634845147874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-13318690064564304832010-06-04T10:12:22.159-08:002010-06-04T10:12:22.159-08:00Oh, ditto what Lucy said. I feel the same way you ...Oh, ditto what Lucy said. I feel the same way you do, Michelle. If I saw a child begging I wouldn't be able to NOT give them something, anything! There's no way of knowing who might be a puppet on a string for a larger operation or who is really, genuinely, needful and starving. I'd have to give them something, and like you said, let God sort out the details. I do give to the homeless here by charitable donations to orgs and to folks on the street. Whatever the reason, homelessness is sad and I can help a little, and even if they're buying alcohol or food who am I to forecast what they're using it for? What if it's really for a sandwich? I'm not God, I don't know their thoughts. I refuse to be cold. A large percentage of homeless in this city and many other American cities are children, and while you normally don't see them begging in America, they are around, so donating to a place like Claire House help immensely. Sorry to go on a tangent, I'm just so moved by your story and understand your sentiments exactly. I mean, think of the story that Jesus told of Lazarus and the rich man, think of compassion. If you're out a buck or two and concerned about where it's going or that the beggar or homeless person used it for reasons you don't approve of, oh well you're out a buck or two. But what if that buck or two helped someone get crosstown on the bus to the shelter, or to get a hamburger at McDonalds (which I've seen homeless folks here do after they've been given some money at an intersection)?Chrissy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18327104021278929499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-66172516117117726592010-06-04T07:47:57.183-08:002010-06-04T07:47:57.183-08:00Oh my gosh. I have no words. I think I just want...Oh my gosh. I have no words. I think I just want to go out and kiss the American ground.RoeHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00131723337404316867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-92005685286289418142010-06-04T07:11:08.762-08:002010-06-04T07:11:08.762-08:00On my mission in Paris we experienced the same thi...On my mission in Paris we experienced the same thing. Families (usually foreign, many from India and that part of the world) would set their kids out to beg instead of sending them to school, thereby perpetuating the cycle. It was utterly frustrating. <br /><br />But you're right. You do what you feel like you should to help others out and leave it to the Lord to judge who really needed it and who didn't.Allyshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10638969631863483061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-18894825543706200762010-06-04T06:52:48.380-08:002010-06-04T06:52:48.380-08:00It is human nature to want to help an individual i...It is human nature to want to help an individual in need. We feel better about what we give because it is personal, one person to another. Our three years in India has taught me the tremendous value of supporting NGO's and other groups that are helping the poor. It is difficult on an individual basis unless you know quite a good deal about the particular situation to know what to do. Often what you do does not have the effect you desired.<br /><br />Time and time again in India I have learned the value of working with good, honest organizations that have well laid out plans on how to assist people in need. The best plans are those that help them help themselves, though sometimes you need to provide basic needs to they can help themselves.<br /><br />Give generously, but give to organizations equipped and experienced in helping the poor. Limit your direct contributions to individuals to friends and families where you know the circumstances of the people involved.<br /><br />DadUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13209345420359766821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-72069500781357221502010-06-04T06:02:13.467-08:002010-06-04T06:02:13.467-08:00My husband is not real into helping out the homele...My husband is not real into helping out the homeless and I can understand his point of view. He is concerned what they do with the money we give them. Will they actually eat or buy alcohol, cigs or drugs instead? I think it is pretty simple. You help others with a giving heart and that clears you with your maker - the intent is on HOW you gave, not what THEY did with it because you really have no control in that situation. They will have to answer for it one day just like I will have to answer for it if I turn a blind eye to those in need.Mrs. Ohtobehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11089074143426605410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-78124189667439156052010-06-04T05:39:55.476-08:002010-06-04T05:39:55.476-08:00My husband is from El Paso, Texas. I am from a sm...My husband is from El Paso, Texas. I am from a small town in Wyoming. We don't have begging here. The closest I've come to experiencing it is in downtown Denver where it's illegal. The first trip we made to El Paso to see his family broke my heart. Families from Juarez come over to El Paso to beg. Some drug and use their babies and some RENT OUT THEIR BABIES. That thought absolutely HORRIFIED ME!! My husband and mother-in-law acted like it was an every day occurrence and shrugged it off. I have never been able to get that out of my head. I didn't give any money away on that trip or any others because my husband said they'd fight over it and it would make it worse. *sigh*<br /><br />My husband worked off the coast of India for a time. He describes it a lot the way you do. Sadly he was fairly immune to the poverty having grown up where he did. When he would tell me the stories it would just re-break my heart.<br /><br />Such poverty and such a lifestyle are so hard for us to really understand and grasp until we've been there and seen it. I am forever changed by our trips to Texas. I didn't know such poverty existed or such desperation.Stephhttp://www.fromunderthepiles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-61189146063299451272010-06-04T04:29:28.386-08:002010-06-04T04:29:28.386-08:00You are exactly correct. It can be very hard deci...You are exactly correct. It can be very hard deciding if the begging is real or just a scam. We live just outside of NYC and I am a softie for anyone who looks for a handout. I always bring some change and sneak it to them when my husband isn't looking. I'd rather give it and be scammed then to just walk away and pretend I didn't see them.jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05925212233815659494noreply@blogger.com