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Cologne's help for the homeless: Surprising reaction causes disappointment!
A man from Cologne reports on his disappointment after an offer of help to a homeless person in Krefeld and gives insights into supporting beggars.
Cologne's help for the homeless: Surprising reaction causes disappointment!
In the summer, an encounter occurred in Krefeld that kept Cologne resident Daniel R. busy. As he strolled through the pedestrian zone, he came across a homeless man who, with a small dog by his side, asked for some compassion. Daniel decided to offer him a sandwich, water and even dog food. The homeless man was grateful for this small gesture of kindness. But when Daniel returned later, he was disappointed to see the homeless man tipping the bottle of water into a flowerbed and setting it aside. This reaction raised questions in Daniel and raised questions about the usefulness of his mission.
Encounters with homeless people and supporting them are often complex. The Caritas has published tips, especially in the cold season, to respond to the needs of begging people in a friendly and respectful manner. Begging is an expression of extreme need, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to how best to help. While giving money to beggars is legitimate, the decision as to what the money is used for ultimately rests with the recipient.
Alternatives to donating money
In the discussion about the right form of support, the question of whether beggars have addiction problems is often raised. Many people are unsure whether their donations actually help or whether they end up in the wrong channels. In fact, that explains Caritas that some homeless people need addictive substances to survive. Going cold turkey can even be life-threatening. It is therefore advisable to ask those in need directly whether they are hungry or what they really need instead of simply buying food.
A look behind the scenes of homelessness shows that many of these people suffer from financial difficulties, illness or other strokes of fate. Access to social benefits is often difficult because many people do not have any identification documents. In addition, Caritas denounces the prejudice that there are organized gangs of beggars as unfounded. In Germany, begging is not a criminal offense, a fact that has been established since 1974.
Break down prejudices and help
Especially in view of the winter temperatures Homeless Foundation the call to open our eyes to homeless people. Poverty and homelessness have reportedly increased. This situation doesn't just affect people without jobs; Even full-time workers often find themselves below the poverty line. This circumstance makes it clear that it is not easy for anyone to free themselves from such a precarious situation. Many people simply have no control over the circumstances that brought them into their situation.
Empathy towards people in need should always be the focus. Daniel R. certainly had good intentions in his first attempt to help, but his second look at the situation revealed a reality that is often overlooked. It is time to break down prejudices and develop an open ear for needs. Anyone who recognizes the people behind the fate can help more specifically and find the right form of support.