Your handouts may keep people on the streets
Carolyn Neville, chair of the Obs Civic Association.
Observatory is home to a floating population of street people, as well as a core group who have made Observatory their home for years.
Some are drawn by the proximity to Groote Schuur hospital, Valkenberg and Cape Mental Health where they receive regular medication. Some are drawn by the generous students and residents that live in the area.
Others are attracted by the density of restaurants and night life that provide ample scope for asking for money and some drawn by the drug trade.
When make we give money to street people, are we really helping?
The reasons why people are fending for themselves on the street are as diverse as the people themselves. These may include broken families, overcrowding at home, financial difficulties, substance abuse, death of a close family member and involvement in gangs.
Of course, visitors and residents naturally feel guilty when passing such folk on the street but giving money really does not help their situation in the long term. It just keeps them on the street.
Usually they make enough money begging to avoid starvation, but not enough to change their situation, and very often alcohol and drugs are part of their story as people try to escape the pain of their reality.
Not assisting or ignoring the problem is also no solution. Those street people who wish to change their situation can seek help and support.
Here are some ideas to help:
- Treat street people with respect. Speak to them, get to know their name and story. Often street people simply want to be treated with dignity.
- Encourage those doing car guard work to stop telling people to park illegally on the roads. If you see a self-appointed car guard hassling someone for payment, talk to them or if necessary call Observatory Improvement District (OBSID). We don't want visitors to the area to park illegally or be hustled for money.
- Be smarter and give responsibly. Food and your time just listening are always better than money.
- If you are a business in the area, consider being involved in a scheme whereby patrons can add some money to their bill and these funds go towards supporting local organisations dealing with street people.
- Support organisations working with street people in the area. Such as the OBSID Development Programme, which provides employment with the OBSID Cleaning Team and then mentoring them towards securing employment. Loaves and Fishes is a well established shelter for those who have decided to change their lives. They provide accommodation, specific courses and mentoring support.
Breaking Bread Community Development offers a Friday night meal and fellowship with street people. This NPO, initiated by a group of international students, are seeking to secure a site to build a centre that will provide showers, toilets, lockers, clothes washing facilities for those who live on the street.
They will also be running a number of intervention programmes aimed at educating, skilling and rehabilitating street people. The Jubilee Church operates a free clinic for those in need.
Remember, handing out money indiscriminately continues the vicious cycle of poverty and dependence.
Contact the OBSID to get in touch with the organisations mentioned above.