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Next, you will be given another point of view about beggars. The following text will tell
you why beggars exist in many countries in this world. Read the text, try to understand
them, and do the practice.

Should We Give to Beggars?

In November 2000, the government of UK tried to bring a change regarding beggars. The
government encouraged the people to stop giving cash to beggars and donate their money to
charities instead. Below are some points of view coming from the British.
I had to beg between the ages of 16 and 19 as I was forced into homelessness. If people
hadn't given me money, I think out of desperation I would have turned to crime. The urge for
survival on the cruel streets of modern Britain overrides any personal morals, no matter how
deeply held. The only real issue is why did the social welfare net fail to catch me and now that I
work, why must I pay tax toward something that so sadly let me down when I most needed
it? (David, UK)
Some self-centered capitalist wants to get beggars off the road. Thank God there are still
compassionate people in England who want help a down and out soul. I believe beggars should be
given food, shelter, clothing and ABOVE ALL the milk of human kindness. (Anna, UK)
I believe that the number of homeless people and beggars in the UK is a disgrace. It is a
reflection of a largely selfish society. The Government should be pushing a lot more money into
this area reducing the need for charities like Shelter. Until this is the case, I feel that money
should be given to both charities and beggars. (Tom Blackmore, Sweden (Originally from the
UK))
In my view, people should feel free to give to beggars as they wish and not be dictated to by
the Government. The very real danger of stopping people donating will be that beggars will turn
to crime to get money from a different source. (Sally Wells, UK)
If someone asks for help we should give it. Who are we to judge a person because they
spend the money on alcohol or drugs? Just because someone does not conform to the so-called
"norm" does not mean they are not human and don't deserve our help and respect. (Chris, UK/
Singapore)
Prisoners get a guarantee of food and shelter - beggars don't. If we, from humane principles,
offer these essentials to convicted criminals, why advise us to deny them to the poorest amongst
us? Only a government which are control freaks would spend public money to advance, for the
better off, a ready-made excuse for passing by on the other side! (Trevor Harvey, England)

Adapted from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/1009634.stm

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