When will this be a thing of the past . (Homelessness and street begging)

Member Name: eiley123

Product:	Homelessness and street begging
Date:	19/06/07 (109 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Too many to mention

I know as with people from all walks of life there will always be some genuine beggars and homeless people and others who just give them a bad name . It is so easy to look at people who are struggling with life and it's hardships and think it will never be you . However a sad fact of life is beggars and homeless people can come from all walks of life and levels of intelligence .

When we are young it is so easy to be complacent and self assured . However once we are older I think many people can see how some folk end up having such hard times . A breakdown in the family circle , bereavement and a mental breakdown are all examples of how a slippery slide into homelessness can occur .

With the lack of support nowadays it can be all to easy for someone suffering mental health problems to loose their home and job . In no time at all a smart and intelligent citizen can become a down and out .

However before we blindly judge we ought to have our facts straight first . Sure there are plety of conmen but doesn't your heart go out to the genuine ones . There could go any of us given a few bad breaks and health issues . I cannot imagine , thankfully , how desperate it must feel to have no home , few possessions and little hope .

When I was eighteen , getting on for 40 years ago , I took part in a charity walk . It was 25 miles and in aid of Shelter , the charity which helps the homeless . I remember wearing my ' I'm a shelter helper ' badge with pride . The money we all raised through our sponsors then was going to go towards stamping out homelessness once and for all . All these years down the road and for many things have got worse . In this day and age , in a relatively prosperous country , no-one should HAVE to sleep rough . Basic shelter must surely be everyone's right . I know this is an idealisitc view but I do feel it should be possible . Considering the vast sums of money being spent of late on death and destruction it really is a disgrace that genuine people and children are homeless .

As for begging there are , unfortunately , were I live just too many doing it for the wrong reasons . I use my judgement , probably often wrong , and do what I can to help .

All any of us can do is go with our personal beliefs and our consiences . After all there but for the grace of God go you or I .

Thanks for reading
copyright Eiley 2007

Should be no stars obviously .

Summary: Should not exsist in the 21st Century