A few minutes ago I arrived back at the office. At the gate, a ruggedly dressed youth signaled me and mouthed "$2 for smoke". A couple of weeks ago while at the Central Market, a youth walked up to me (I was sitting in my car) and demanded $2. A mother tried to con her way into getting me to give her $10 which made me refuse her straight out. Let us face it. We have become beggers in our own country. While eating at NPF Plaza a guy walks up and asks for $10 because he was hungry. Yet another boy asked me money while I was refueling at Quan Chee.
One thing is certain, these incidents are increasing in frequency. It saddens me to see our own people disintegrate into being beggers! I would have gladly given money it if any one of those people was willing to offer to cut the grass in my yard for $50. While you can argue economics, I suggest that it is an unfortunate shift in attitude and aptitute - that we are happier to sit back and ask for handouts. We do not understand that the rest of the world got to where they are because someone somewhere broke their backside to get their country on its feet. This is what Solomon Islanders need to do!
It hurts to realise that Solomon Islanders are becoming beggers in their own land. I wonder, how many of us would have thought that Solomon Islands would be one day like this. I dont think that this is an economic crisis that caused people( Solomon Islanders) to resort and became street beggers. It is rather that the crisis we faced now is just a crisis of sight. People, they don't see as a result they lack the inspiration and the will to do it.
What amazes me is that, nothing is different with every human beings. They are all made in the image of God. They posses talents and gifts imbedded in them by the creator. The problem is some have seen the opportunity at hand and seized whilst others have a sight problem.
Interesting statement.. "Some might have seen the opportunity at hand". i believe these guys have seen this method as an opportunity on the gullible, that being us. They know that preying on emotions can reap its rewards, and I believe that though a lot of people refuse to part with the requested handouts, there are others who actually dig in and give generously and these guys should be blamed for this escalating problem.
these beggers I believe are not worse off. They just choose to ply a trade that earns them money without sweat. Who in the Solomons would be without food? We have relatives every where and I do not think some one would be really stranded that bad. I think these mis-unfortunates of society (mis-unfortunates? is this lack of a better word?) realise this trade is profitable.
I've wondered myself if the guy who asked me $10.00 in front of Scouties because he is really hungry was actually going to buy any food considering that the casino is only a building away.
In Mumbai, parents actually beat their kids up because they did not manage to beg enough off a stranger. it is a trade.
We are getting modernised.. and our customs and values that are supposed to be keeping us together is actually evolving... we are promoting compensation, and starving the other family values. It does not boggle the mind that much thinking about it. Afterall, compensation reaps its riches.. as opposed to feeding our relatives which drains the budget.
Some one once told me.. "Money is your mother" and how right he is..
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..so put me on a highway ... and show me a sign ... and take it to the limit .... one more time...
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