By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Street begging is a persistent social issue that has plagued Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone. With its diverse population and a history of economic challenges, Freetown has become a hub for individuals engaged in begging as a means of survival.
This article aims to shed light on the causes and consequences of street begging in Freetown, while exploring potential strategies to address this pressing concern.
Causes of street begging
Street begging in Freetown stems from a multitude of interconnected factors. One of the primary causes is extreme poverty, as many individuals find themselves trapped in a cycle of deprivation due to limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Since the majority of the beggars cannot afford their daily bread, they have resorted to street begging to ensure that their pots emit smoke at the end of the day. These types of beggars could be seen in strategic points in the city like Kissy Road, Wilberforce Street and the like, where they sleep, use the gutters to throw garbage and excrete- all posing serious health hazards to the society.
Additionally, factors such as disability, displacement, and family breakdown contribute to the vulnerability of those resorting to begging on the streets. Disability either natural or accidental had forced many to beg and a small number to learn skills to equip themselves. The begging lot can be found on major streets of Freetown and which are also dwellings for them.
Well, even though the war ended in 2002, many displaced people could not return to their towns and villages and have decided to stay in the streets of the capital begging, leaving lands uncultivated. Able- bodied men and women who should be producing agricultural foodstuffs are seen parading the streets begging and they are the same people casting blame on the government that food stuff's prices are always on the increase. Local food like cassava, potato, banana and even our staple food which is rice should not have been a problem for Sierra Leoneans.
Family breakdown has also led to people begging in the street and these are normally traumatized and could be seen in the streets telling all kinds of stories to people just to make ends meet. You will see a very responsible man or woman telling stories of how their transport fare got missing and asking people to help them with money.
Others will say they came all the way from the outskirts of Freetown to see a family member who they could not reach and had no money on them to go back home. Death or other circumstances involving a family member who was the breadwinner of the family, forces some to beg.
The other factor attributed to street begging is youths wanting to use it as a means of buying drugs for them to be high throughout the day or becoming violent. They have implemented a new aspect of begging called “Bolang.” This type of begging is when able- bodied men form themselves into groups and visit business places, authorities or even mounting checkpoints in streets to get money from people. They will praise singing people in such a way that you will be tempted to give them your last penny in your wallet.
Consequences of street begging to Society
The consequences of street begging extend beyond the individuals involved. It perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as those engaged in begging struggle to break free from their dire circumstances. It also poses risks to public health, as unsanitary conditions and the lack of proper healthcare among street beggars can lead to the spread of diseases. Moreover, street begging creates a negative image about Freetown, potentially deterring tourism and investment, and hindering the overall development of the city.
Challenges in Addressing Street Begging
Tackling street begging in Freetown requires a complex approach due to the challenges involved. Limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, unwillingness from youths to involve in skills training and lack of coordination among relevant authorities have hampered efforts to effectively address the issue. Moreover, negative social attitudes and stigma towards beggars often hinder the implementation of sustainable solutions, perpetuating the cycle of marginalization.
Potential Solutions to street begging
Strengthening and expanding social welfare programmes can provide essential support to individuals and families in need. Also, programmes with focus on poverty alleviation, education, vocational training, and healthcare, aimed at breaking the cycle of dependency and offering sustainable opportunities, can also help.
Creating rehabilitation centres that offer counseling, skill development, and job placement services can help reintegrate street beggars into society. Also, to provide alternative means of livelihood for street beggars and equipping them with the necessary skills can empower them to lead self-sufficient lives.
Launching public awareness campaigns to foster empathy and understanding towards street beggars is crucial. Such campaigns can challenge negative stereotypes and promote a more sympathetic approach, encouraging individuals and communities to support sustainable solutions rather than enabling the cycle of street begging to continue.
Augustine Koroma became a street beggar after the death of his mother and his father’s sudden disappearance. Business of street begging has become difficult to put up with due to the continuous economic hardship experienced by people. If someone could help him learn to drive as a profession, he would stop street begging, he said.
Sharing her experience, Isata Kamara said she started street begging due to hardship and being an orphan which prompted her to engage in street begging instead of stealing or becoming a prostitute. She said the current trend of begging is hard compared to before, saying their givers are also constrained not to talk of giving away to the poor and needy. If someone could help her with the capital to start a business, she will stop street begging, she says.
Lamin Sesay, another street beggar took to the act after the disappearance of her mum and his father couldn’t afford to take care of him. Begging has been tough for them as he said they will at some point spend the rest of the day begging without realizing a single cent which to him is hard to cope with. He said if someone could help him return to school he would appreciate that as he stopped at SSS1 at the Government Independence School.
Young Dickson Lamin Jabbie stopped going to school at class 6 after being recruited by his blind uncle from Waterloo to lead him on street begging, since his parents could no longer afford to pay his fees. Begging to him has not been attractive anymore as he said they are no longer realizing as much as they used to have in the past. If a philanthropist could take him back to school, he promised to quit street begging.
In conclusion, street begging in Freetown presents a real challenge that requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders involved. By addressing the root causes, improving social welfare programmes, and promoting rehabilitation and reintegration, Freetown can pave the way towards a more inclusive and prosperous future. Combating street begging is not only a moral imperative but also a step towards building a resilient and compassionate society where every individual has the opportunity to succeed.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (17/07/23)
