| Hi Jian Shuo, Thank you for taking your time to write up and share your thoughts with us. I really appreciate your views. Thanks also to the readers who have commented. I agree with your point that the issue of how to help homeless population is a complex one. There is no ideal solution because each homeless person's case is different. In the UK, there is a fairly comprehensive social benefit system that, in theory, works well. People with low incomes can claim from a benefit called 'Income Support' which is funded by tax payers (i.e., everyone who works in the UK contributes a little to help). In order to claim, they need to prove their income is below the national minimum, and additional information such as why they can't work. The current rate paid out is 57.45 UK Pound per week, per person - not a lot but enough for the bare necessities to live on. In addition to the money from Income support, there are ways to claim additional funds, for example "Job Seeker's Allowance" is set up to help people get back on their feet by providing money to aid them getting a new job. The person who is claiming this money will need to prove to the government that he is actively seeking a new job, otherwise the payment of the benefit will be terminated. Job Seeker's Allowance is also 57.45 UK Pound at the current rate. For people with special needs - elderly people, very young kids who have lost parents, disabled, pregnant woman etc, there are additional benefit funds and money to increase their income. As I said, in theory, this system sounds like a great way of solving the problem, but in reality it can (and is) abused by many who simply are too lazy to work, or for various reasons refuse to work for an income. They have become so dependant on the benefit system that they will often fake medical conditions, lie, or even getting pregnant just to avoid work so they can claim the benefits. They can sit at home, and enjoy the free money. In essence, they are the faking beggars of UK - equivalent of those who fake to beg in China. They both take advantage of people or society's kindness. I found people like these quite despicable. Similarly, there are also young and able-bodied people who beg for extra money on the streets of UK. I usually ignore all these beggars, as I found it morally wrong to provide for them when they can easily provide a living for themselves by working. Disabled people usually are very well looked after in the UK, not only they can claim benefit from the government, many services, such as bus and train companies, also provide discounts for them. There are laws that protect them from getting unfair treatments (for example a computer software company can't refuse to hire a person because he has to use a wheelchair to get to work). I think as a group, the disabled are much better off in UK than in China. For those who genuinely needs help, I tend to give them help unconditionally, whether be it buying them dinner or give out money (I prefer providing food rather than money). I applaud the way Muhammad Yunus helps people, but I can't agree on his view of absolutely not giving out money whatever the case - sometimes people needs more immediate help. For example, what's the use of giving a weakened elderly person who is severely dehydrated a mobile phone and ask him to hire it out? Not only he will become an easy target for robbery (a mobile will be a nice thing for yobs to have), he would benefit from a bottle of water or money to buy water a lot more than a long term scheme. In this way Muhammad Yunus is just as short sighted as those who only give out money. I believe a combination of his plan, plus in certain cases, more immediate help is the better method. The actual form of helping will need to be decided on individual case bases rather than a blanket style 'one for all' kind of approach. In the long term, offer employment to those who can work, and provide the minimum living standard to those who can't work sounds like a good plan. I totally agree with you Jian Shuo, on employing A'Yi rather than just offering her money. This would be what I'd do as well. I believe in people should work for what they earn. That's why I have so much respect for those who struggles forward despite the hardship - the street musician who plays Er'hu, the man who collects bottles and cans for recycling, the little old ladies who sells flower bunches outside the underground tube stations. （Are those flower bunches 玉兰花? This really brings back memories as I remember my grandma used to wear them when I was a kid living in Shanghai. The flowers can't sell for that much, 1, maybe 2RMB each? Watching their old, fragile stance sitting on little stools brought up emotions I had with my past which I thought had been long lost. Sometimes I buy a few bunches off them - offering them the money, keep one then just return the flower to them so they can sell them again. Maybe I’m just getting too nostalgic? The passing of some of the old ways of how people lived in China is saddening as they are my only connection to my past). Are there any organizations, privately funded or sponsored by the government that looks after homeless people in China? In the UK there are charities such as Oxfam, Help the Aged etc that volunteers run to help those in need. I’d love to join as a volunteer to help out in China too on my travels. Again, thanks for proving a space for us to discuss thought provoking topics. |
Beggars in China and People's Attitude