Genuine question and from the heart:
I've always thought the general consensus was that the homeless never be given money as that money is, more often than not, spent on drugs and alcohol. At least that's the case with every housing crisis/low income charity I've ever worked with worldwide. Has the world got it wrong or should we all take pointers from how South Africa treats its poor and homeless from now on? What does South Africa do differently that the rest of the world neglects to do?
Homeless in the UK is different to homeless in Africa. In Africa, there is zero to little social security. When you see someone walking on the road or begging, they are, literally penniless. If you give someone money they'll more than likely spend it on food. Of course there will be the alcoholics etc there always will be.. To swan around handing out what you think is appropriate, in a bucket for God sakes, is paternalistic and I think insulting. The best thing is to give the person a job to do, mow the lawn etc and pay them a decent wage. What happens to the bucket? He doesn't have a house, he's eaten the food but, yipee skip, he has a bucket! No home, no food, no job, but got a bucket!! It's undignified. To take Ardmore as an example. Fee Halstead took her passion, pottery, started her studio then started teaching and employing people, giving them a job, income, stability and dignity. Giving someone a bucket filled with crap that you think they should have is robbing a human of their dignity. Between the chance to learn a skill like potting, or being given a bucket once a year... Which would you choose. Often these acts of charity are in my view egotistical?? Not sure if that's the right word. I don't give money to the homeless here. Not when they're walking around drunk smoking cigarettes etc. We are talking about individual action here, not government policy. I wouldn't work with the government on these social issues. I'd work with the traditional tribal leaders, the village headmen etc.black African society is very interconnected and established and the best thing is to work within those traditional structures and leave corrupt government out of it. I hope this makes sense. And by the way, for avoidance of doubt, I think that the Ardmore pottery is hideous. Just my taste or as some would say, lack of taste.
Me thinks he's gonna have 600 photos under his bed for a long, long time.
