⌛ Beggng On The Streets Of Dumaguete

Just to be clear what is the problem? Begging children, or poverty in the Philippines? One is the problem, the other the symptom.

 

Of course, but sometimes you can treat a symptom when you can cure the disease. This is a symptom that needs to be addressed. Even if you only have some effect, some is better than none. I don't think we should sit around smugly, shrugging our shoulders and declaring the problem beyond us, do you?

 

yes.

There are too many issues in the developing world. It's typical of foreigners to think they can come here and save the Philippines from itself, it wears off quickly unless it is your specific mission in life.

read my post again about the Badjaw, things are not always what they seem here.
You see dirty children begging when you come for a week, when you live here you know they are part of a system that you can not change, it is part of a complex web that turns a blind eye for a small consideration.

Donate to a church or charity if you want. Or start your own orphanage, educate the philippinos to have fewer children. It just depends on your pockets and energy level.

I am not unsympathetic as you might think, but I have been here a while. I have volunteered at local schools offered to give guest lectures on various education topics. Its too long a story for this forum chat. next time your here, we can have a talk, over a beer of course.

 

RHB's response is sadly typical of the majority of people. Most people don't care enough to get involved and help on any level. They are either unconcerned about the issue or expect someone else to do the work... Too busy with their own lives to help other beings, going to the bars and chatting on internet forums. For further evidence, see my thread on suggestions to improve the Apo Marine Park ... and subsequent lack of action.

It's not surprising cos as RHB points out, there is so much suffering, where does one start? The enormity of the issues puts many people off.

If only everyone could take on ONE issue to help with, then we could all contribute meaningfully. But then we'd need to change the moral values of the population at large; no mean feat.

WH - here is a very successful initiative that took place in South Africa, to get people off the streets and helping themselves.

"The Working Unemployed are Getting it Together Men on the Side of the Road Project (MSR): Cape Town

Each day they gather, an estimated 18,000 males aged 15-60, at roughly 180 sites throughout South Africa. Always at the same major intersections come rain or shine, these are the men on the side of the road, waiting expectantly for contractors, homeowners anyone who cares to offer them a day's casual labor. Launched in 1999, the Men on the Side of the Road (MSR) Project aims to build unity amongst this group of individuals.

MSR hopes to provide them with the knowledge, tools and voice to facilitate their fight for a better life. MSR will build shelters with ablution facilities, provide educationon the rights enjoyed by these workers, and build partnerships with government agencies, unions and human rights organizations to givethe workers greater access to resources and funds to improve their standard of living. MSR is also coordinating a national public marketing campaign to call for the donation of old and broken tools, which can then be repaired and used by the day laborers. This project will provide funding for MSR as well as go directly to the men."

For more info: TFSR | Men at the Side of the Road

An initiative that took place in tandem was a clamp down by the authorities and police to get children off the street - they were taken away. But that requires a willing local authority - maybe you should speak to the local DMGT authorities.

At the very least I suggest no one gives them any money - if you must give, then give only food and clothing. They only continue to beg because it pays them to.

Hope that helps.

 

When you live here more than three years then you can pass judgement on me and others. You talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? Idle Google quotes about Africa is one thing, actually doing somthing is another.

But then your motives for coming here are less than noble from what you told me in that PM. Shall I share? I think you wouldn't like that.
No probs, bud
Party on

 

It doesn't really matter where you live RHB, the problems are the same the world over in poor countries. And your response is typical of the priveliged the world over too, turning away from the problems, no willingness to act and do something oneself.

Also a tendency to attack someone else instead of taking a hard look at oneself in the mirror. If you don't like what you see RHB then do something about it. I do plenty of stuff to help in causes that are close to my heart, I thought you'd realise that by now. If you want more info on that then pls PM me, cos this thread is not about me or you.

I'm not singling you out RHB, I'm saying your reactions are typical of the majority of people, both in Phils and elsewhere.

Wretched Hyena asked for suggestions, I offered some. I hope I am contributing to his concern. I'm not sure you are.

BTW: what's so ignoble about my reasons for visiting DMGT? There's nothing shameful about visiting my girl there. Frankly your reaction to discredit me is rather pathetic.

 

Well I just rolled back into town after being away for about 9 months and I must say they must have recently done something because I've seen very little begging compared to last spring. All the kids are gone from the front of Lee plaza and I even went to the pharmacy across the street and not one kid hit on me. I did some work for a third world relief org that will go unamed. They turned out to be corrupt when I paid them a visit in Mexico. At least that's what everyone told me...so I decided to start doing the relief work on my own.....What a horrible mistake. If I gave them $100 they next tried for $200. As one one Catholic priest from Ireland finally said to me "Cut them loose !! They'll suck you dry down here !!" Its a highly refined art to help people. Generousity in poor countries is typically seen by the poor as a weakness to be exploited and not the virtue it is. I'm an atheist but I'd recommend a local nun to do your charity work for you. Her name is SR Teresa Zaragosa and she works out of the cathedral. You can give her a donation and she'll pinch every nickle until the buffalo shits. Otherwise do it yourself and get used to people trying to get ever increasing amounts out of you.

 

Thank you, Zambizikid. It's so easy for people to say there's nothing they can do. It makes it easy to sit around and gripe about it over a beer. I'm told that there are too many problems in the developing world. Oh, well, if there are too many problems, we shouldn't do anything about any of them? I propose that, if people want to discuss what could be done, they continue on this thread. If they want to tell everyone that nothing can be done, they can go read threads about the best hamburger in town (nothing against that thread). If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. It can't hurt to discuss it (unless it hurts to think). Richard

 

Hi Ear J, Good Observation!!well Me& My Family Visited Last June ,july August Got Time To Looked Around &it Happened To Us My Husband Was Afraid Since One Of Them Pullout His Shirt Then My Brother &me React But Nicel,well Those Children Badjaw ,came Fr. Sulu& Basilan Most Of Them Dont Speak Bisaya Because They Speak Taosog!muslim!!! We Knew That Because Last 10 Years Ago We Lived In Jolo But We Are Christian!! So We Happened To Understand What They Are Talking About! I Think Dumaguete Authority Knows About That Problem Already ! Just Be Careful There Are True Of Them And There Are False Of Them!!!! There Are Dangerous Of Them!!! As A Human Being A Had Pitied Those Whos In Need But There Are So Many Things That Wemust Be Aware!! Well What So Ever I Hope & Im Sure You Love Staying Philippines As We Did!!god Bless!!!

 

Muslim people? Oh my word, that must be terrible DMT. Surely, there must be something the authorities can do to ban these terrible people from your islandl?!! Especially if they don't speak your language too, how dare they not speak your dialect!

Thinking about it now, how about a total ban on all non-Bisaya speaking, non-Christian people from Negros? Maybe with weekly burning ceremonies?