Homeless in Colombia Finding a Way

thur says on Dec 30, 2005, 02:13:

Different approach... Hmz, I don't quite agree with the above post. I also feel that's more of an American attitude towards poverty of "you need to get a job". Seeing the official unemploymentrate is high (it must be even higher), it must be difficult to actually find a job that is more or less permanent enough to get settled. Even in a estrata 0 sector.
There are kinds of poverty/beggars I don't feel like giving money, like the one described in the openingpost: The guy, passed out on the street (with a bottle or glue). Or the more agressive kids on glue, or those with a look they would stab you for 500 pesos. In that case one just gives 200-500 to get rid of them.
But those in buses (selling peanuts or telling jokes) are ok, as those who "watch your car", why give them a hard time? Or the more 'friendly' beggars. We also passed several old people sitting and begging. I find it sad that people at that age still have the worries of making enough money to eat for that day, every day. In stead of living easily at the end of their -undoubtfully- hard life.
I don't _like_ seeing beggars, I don't _like_ being confronted with that sort of hardcore poverty, which shows how ruthless society can be. So why make it more difficult than it already is? Sure, you don't want to encourage them and one shouldn't be handing out money to every single one, but still... walking out and telling someone to "go to work" is just rude (said in the openingpost).
Greetings,

-we always had some coins in our pockets and gave every day at least something even though it wasn't much-

- www.pbase.com/thur

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cali373 says on Dec 30, 2005, 07:18:

I was advised not give money when I was in Colombia. Better to give them some food or buy them someting to eat. I have felt bad and given children enough money to buy some food. That was until I saw one little boy give the money a I gave to a man (not sure if it was a parent) and then continue to work the streets. No I would only strictly give them food or buy food. Unlike the U.S. I think for the most part the majority of homeless in Colombia try to do something for money instead of begging for it. I was in Plaza Bolivar one time and an elderly man was trying to sell me some things he had taken the time to put together from the garbage and paint them. He even had the paint all over him. I bought some small toy car he had repainted. This was in 2003 and I still have it at my work station.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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haji says on Dec 30, 2005, 08:29:

GIB IS RIGHT ONCE MORE Dont get me wrong,I gave and still do to a select few I know are trying.But I also give by paying my bills all my utilities here are taxed a percentage of the bill.The goverment is supposed to use it for that -- to help the poor,Although I dont see where---I pay very high electric also the reason so the poor can have it cheap.anywaythe more a Gringo gives the more people want,and that includes your friends --so called and family.So its best to keep it for yourself and who you select

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ElPadrino1 says on Dec 30, 2005, 12:26:

Haji-How right you are !! On the comment "Anyway the more a gringo gives, the more people want, and that includes your friends-so called and family" A few years ago, a family(in bogota) I was and still am, friendly with, had emailed me asking for money ($60) for help with a graduation of a young colombiano who I thought deserved some help. I sent double the amount they asked for-$120! Not two weeks passed and another "emergency" came up where the family needed this time $200. I wrote back Sorry, cannot help at this time as I have $$ responabilities here in the US to meet. It really ticked me off, seems like the more I sent, the more they wanted. It was the last time I ever sent money to Col again. In this same time period, I had sent a few items to another member of the same family had asked for with the idea of repaying me. Well I sent the items(and its not like they cost 1000s of $$, things like a new HP Printer, cost me $40 new in the USA + shipping. Never saw the Money, never payed me back. I wrote it off as it wasn't a large sum but it was the principle of the matter. When someone says they will pay you back, they should carry thru on their word! Would I ever lend money or send items again to Colombia unless I had my money first?? NOooooo WAaayyyy Jose! Another Colombian Lady several years ago asked me for a $2500 Loan in the US and of course I didn't give the loan! Why do people try and pull these scams off? I see some here send monthly Sums/stipends to lady friends and I think they are NUTS for doing this. "Estan Loco"! I would be there in person to see what the $$$ is being spent on-Never would I send a Check or wire money or set up a ATM acct carte blanche for the woman to tap when they needed $$$. This is Crazy! Not Cheap, But Crazy! You will not be appreciated any more for sending $$ then if you don't. Maybe even less highly thought for sending $$! Caveat Emptor!

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poco says on Dec 30, 2005, 14:15:

Clueless The rich Colombians rarely give anything the to homeless. Maybe, thats why they are rich.

I doubt seriously you know a rich person,, let alone have any knowledge of what they do with their money. The problem with 80% of the folks is that they do not understand wealth, how to acquire it and what to do with it if they get it.

Where I live, a rural area, someone,, and I doubt they are poor gives some pretty nice Christmas presents to the truly needy,, ie: NOT street bums. I know some have received refrigerators, others lots of food goods. The city sponsors a BLOCK Christmas light contest giving food and other goods to the block that has the best decorations.

Last time I checked,,, the POOR contributed NOTHING to ANYONE, for the most part they are a drag on society. They more that likely made their choices when they were young and now need to live with it for the rest of their lives.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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carter says on Dec 30, 2005, 14:38:

Sounds like the problem is that people think that handing out money is the only way to address the situation.

I think more people in this country need to invest more time into the homeless issue. In my town I find that the homeless (or should I say the poor because they may have a hut somewhere but no money to eat) get well looked after in regards to the fact that most restaurants give out free meals.

Besides why bother with a house when the weather is so nice and you can sleep by the river.

The one problem I find here is that the people have little time for people with mental illness. They are thought of as druggies, locos or just rude. But this is a problem in a lot of western countries Ive lived in as well.

The cities in the world that I have seen that are best dealing with there homeless problems are the ones with well organised volounteer groups and people willing to put in time. Obviously there are many other factors including the size of the problem, government etc.

I find one problem in Bogota is that people are scared of the homless, actually now that I think of it people in bogota are scared of everything.

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poco says on Dec 30, 2005, 17:04:

Not exactly everywhere The one problem I find here is that the people have little time for people with mental illness.

Not correct where I live,,,, there are mentally ill and/or downs syndrome cases. One needs drugs to keep him half/way in balance,, he can get them and gets help from the locals plus his family, who are NOT rich.

Three retarded people sing and play instruments in the park,, many give them money.

A retarded child,, I’d guess he was about 10,, stripped down to his shorts and jumped in the park fountain,, somehow he had snuck on a bus from nearby town town. The police and one women got him dressed,, the Police bought him some fried chicken, put him in the Police Pickup truck and took him to where he lived.

I was told his mother would be advised to keep better tabs on his location.

I’m positive 99% of the opinions are based on a surface knowledge of the major cities. Kind of like talking about Camden New Jersey and expecting those who live in Muskogee Oklahoma to find some similarity.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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carter says on Dec 31, 2005, 12:41:

POCO sorry I wasn´t talking about those with down syndrome or mentally retarded they do get well looked after in the town I live in.

I meant those with psychiatric problems who live in the streets.

I apologise if my post suggested that Colombian families don´t look after those members of there families with physical or mental disabilities.

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carter says on Dec 31, 2005, 12:44:

Credit is the norm in my local tienda I do find that Colombians tend to pay back money to those in stores etc but think that I being a foriegner don´t really need the money so don´t pay me back.

that said I payed my friends University fees at the start of the 2nd semester and since the start of holidays he has worked hard and paid me back yesterday.

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