When confronted with a child at your car window or on your way into a restaurant, you probably wonder what to do. Sometimes you may give something to get rid of the child. The hard reality is that giving money teaches the child to beg. In fact, it rewards the child for being on the street. What would the best thing to do be?
You could
1. Make contact with the child and ask him his name and about his well-being before he starts begging. Genuine concern is something money cannot communicate.
2. Give the money you would give on the street to a project designed to address the phenomenon of the children on the street such as Youth for Christ Kidstop (in George).
3. Support initiative and effort. Give us your old magazines, paint, storybooks or any stationery and it will help us with our bridging programmes. Our day outings, hikes and educational camps will help our children become responsible citizens.
Om geld vir kinders op straat te gee:
- Dit moedig hulle aan om op straat te wees.
- Beloon hul gedrag en keur dit goed dat hulle daar is.
- Dit stuur die boodskap uit dat hulle nie nodig het om te werk of skool toe te gaan nie: Bedel is betaling.
- Dit hou die kinders op straat, want hulle kry die boodskap dat hulle môre kan terugkom en nog kry.
- Dit lok meer kinders strate toe, want hulle sien hulle vriende word beloon.
- Dit hou hulle weg van noodsaaklike dienste soos Gesondheidsorg en Onderwys, want hulle glo dat alles wat hulle nodig het, is op straat te kry (vriende, geld, dwelms, ens.).
Wat koop u geld?
Gom, sigarette, alkohol en dwelms!
Skakel Jonathan Gelderbloem, Youth for Christ Kidstop, by 044 8742624 of 0826872588 vir meer inligting of hulp van enige aard rakende kinders op straat.
