Child beggars flock to Durban streets

WITH the July holidays underway, I Care, the Somerset Park-based non-profit organisation, said they have noticed a recent spike in children begging at street corners in Durban. According to the NPO’s marketing manager, Gail Elson, any form of donation prolongs their stay on the streets and in turn encourages substance abuse and other forms of criminal behaviour.

“A life on the streets is riddled with abuse, violence and crime. Many of these children are only there to finance their next fix. They even sell the food, blankets or clothing they are given to fund their habit,” she said.

As such the organisation, which strives to empower and rehabilitate street children, has made a desperate appeal to both holidaymakers and locals to resist the urge to make any form of donation to a child on the street.

“We understand that people are trying to help, but we need to address the source of the issue and not just the symptoms. If people really wish to make a difference, we ask that people make a donation to any organisation or facility that is working to help the children off the streets,” she added.

“Many of these children are not actually living on the streets, they come during the school holidays with the preconceived idea that they will make themselves plenty of pocket money,” said Elson. On average a child can make R300 to R500 day. A box of glue can be bought for R10 – which can last them for several days. While whoonga, which highly addictive goes for R200 a fix. These drugs numb their senses leaving them basically immune to cold, hunger and pain,” she said.

I Care offers a holistic awareness, outreach and rehabilitation programme for street children. Contact 031 572 6870.