Children beggars, a social crisis

The issue of children sitting on street corners with their mothers begging for food and money is a controversial one.

This socio-economic issue was recently discussed in the article, Children used as begging pawns, published week ending 2 September, which highlighted the issue of women allegedly hiring out their children to beggars for a fee.

In light of this, Judith Briggs, chairperson of the Rosebank Homeless Association, discussed the matter further. “We strongly suspect that many of these women may be using other people’s children when they are begging. However, this has not been proven.”

Regardless of who the child’s biological mother is, Briggs stressed that keeping a child on a street corner, exposed to the elements, is abusive.

“These children are exposed to terrible pollution [from car emissions]. No child should be left on the street and the women with these children think that having a child with them will get them more money.”

Briggs explained that one of the most pressing issues is that these children are prevented from attending a preschool. “These mothers do not want to let their children go to a creche.”

The Rosebank Homeless Association’s sub-committee, Bokamoso, has set up a creche for the children whose parents are homeless. “We have managed to sponsor 30 children. Some of the parents are homeless and others are just very poor. In some homes, the grandmother brings up the children and, therefore, battles to afford schooling for the children.”

Details: If you would like to donate to Bokamoso, contact Judith on 082 883 0294.

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