Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Clearing the streets of Jakarta

The government of Jakarta has recently been on a campaign to clear the streets of the homeless and the beggars. Some have been placed in social institutions while others were returned to their original villages while still others simply returned to the streets.

Those who give donations to these beggars and homeless people will also be fined by the government if caught in the act. The garbage collector that Daniel recently developed a relationship with was fined the equivalent of 20 dollars US when his son was caught begging.

This government activity has succeeded mainly in making the homeless and the beggars more selective and creative about where and when they do their savaging and begging. All of this also demonstrates the need to help the children find food for today and a future for tomorrow. We cannot help them all but that is no reason not to help those we can.

No comments: