So do you really care? Part 2

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Check out the beginning of this story in the previous post.
http://odhiambodorcas.blogspot.co.ke/2016/01/so-do-you-really-care.html

Photo courtesy: cartoonstock.com
A few months ago I was walking in town to board a matatu (public service vehicle) to Westlands. I was in a hurry to get to my interview and all I had was almost a fixed amount of cash. So as I neared the stage a woman with a child tied to her back came to ask for some money. I tried checking my bags for any money I could find I had 100sh and some cash on my MPESA and three shillings. I realised I couldn’t give her the 100sh so I gave her the three shillings “Woiii shame on me!!!!”
Three shillings can barely buy a sweet how was this supposed to help her. So she stood there her eyes were teary, she looked hungry and sad and she asked me “aki shilling tatu itanisaidia aje, si uninunulie kitu cha kula basi,” (How will these three shillings help me, at least buy me something to eat.” Then it hit me, why not buy her something to eat then I will sort myself out later. So I did buy her something to eat. As I walked to the matatu my heart was broken, what did I just do? I mean three shillings! hehe Dorcas you can do better! Since that day I purposed in my heart to do better.
Photo courtesy: designtaxi.com
The poor will always be with us, but is there anything that we can do to lighten their burden? Is there anything we can do to put a smile on their faces? Is there anything we can do to give them hope even if it is just for a day? I know you are probably thinking, ‘What if they are not genuine?’ I can confidently say, that should not be the reason why you don’t give. What if they are genuine? The famous Swahili phrase says 'Tenda wema nenda zako,' if someone comes to ask for food and you can give the food without lacking, what is the harm in doing so. Sometimes I walk with friends and as we approach the young kids who beg on the streets some friends pass them and say, “hawa watoto huwa wanatumwa na watu wakubwa ili wakuje waombe me sioni haja ya kuwapa pesa”, (These kids are normally sent by grown-ups to come and beg, I see no reason why I should give them money” or better yet “huyu mtoto ataenda kununua glue nikimpa pesa”(This child will end up buying glue with the money I will give him, I’d rather not give him any).
Photo courtesy: designtaxi.com
My thought is, if someone is sending them to beg then that means they probably depend on this person for protection and if they don’t bring in money they will probably be mistreated so either way you still endanger the young child. If you are afraid that they will buy drugs with the money, why don’t you buy them something to eat or to wear? Giving is not limited to money.
One day as I walked along the estate, I watched as two boys approached a lady and they asked her for some money. She looked through her wallet and flipped through the notes then she told the boys, “poleni sina coins” (sorry I have no coins). She walked passed them. Then it dawned on me, are we conditioned to believe that the poor can only be given coins that we don’t reaaaallllly need? Can’t we do better than that?
Photo courtesy:1.bp.blogspot.com
Jeanne’s story doesn’t represent even half of what happens out there. It is a case study of what people go through and I intended to paint a picture. Giving doesn’t have to be hard, you could buy bananas or oranges. That loaf of bread that you barely eat, carry it and give it to someone. That food that you had last night and you don’t feel like going on with it yet it is fresh, give it to someone. That cloth or shoe that you last wore in 2013, give it out.  I am not asking you to go to the streets and take in an entire family to live with them, I am just asking you to at least buy them a loaf of bread and some milk. More blessings will come your way as well. You could also spare a few minutes to smile at them or even greet them. I cannot deny the fact that we have conmen who may want to harm us, but that shouldn’t stop us from doing good. Someone needs you, a little child, a mother, a father. Someone depends on the little or much that you will give them.
image courtesy: all-greatquotes.com

So do we really care? Kazi kwako!
Happy new year, Have a generous 2016 will you?

Comments

  1. Unknown8 January 2016 at 01:26

    I'm a victim. This is surely a challenge to add to my new year resolutions. Thanks Dorcas for the challenge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's all about20 January 2016 at 23:36

      Thank Dearie. Challenge it is! Thank you for reading

      Delete
  2. Unknown20 January 2016 at 22:09

    This has really touched me down to my core,there is this crippled begger who usually sits near the madaraka bridge,i find him there daily @ 7:45 as i walk to work..even in the rain,i usually feel a pain in my hrt and tears sting my eyes every time he stretches his hand out to me for something ad i just pass by,i purposed it in my hrt that after giving out my 10% tithe in the church,my combined offering will always go to the needy, then there are these two guys who sleep under the bridge..i also see them every morning..evwn in this chilly cold..i dont know wat i can do to help..and it makes me feel really bad..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's all about20 January 2016 at 22:59

      Thank You Rachael Herman for reading. You may not be able to help them everyday or even help all of them but the much you can do, go ahead and do it. It will give someone a reason to go on. Whisper a prayer for them as well. God bless you.

      Delete
  3. Unknown20 January 2016 at 22:16

    Great message there. Its a challenge and Las time did that I felt like why I gave it out. A young girl runs to me and ask for money and i give him a note and she smile away. Only to see her with a group of boys ahead of me smiling and saying they are buying glue...At times its good to buy them food because she said she is hungry. All in all lets do our duty within our means. Once more thanks for the insightful article and a blessed new year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's all about20 January 2016 at 23:10

      Thank you so much Godfrey. And yes let us do our duty within our means. God bless you

      Delete
  4. Unknown21 January 2016 at 03:53

    God have mercy

    ReplyDelete
  5. githombothi.blogspot.com12 August 2016 at 10:55

    This is a wake-up call for me. I will purpose to do more for the needy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's all about14 August 2016 at 22:03

      Thank you for reading through. It indeed is a wake up call.

      Delete

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