This is why you should not support begging while on travel or at home:

We have been exposed to our fair share of poverty in South Africa, but the extreme low really is the same as I’ve seen it in Chicago, New York, and Washington DC. As we travelled through some of the rural areas we were told to not give money/food for begging, but instead support small crafts or give them tasks to complete for money. Supporting begging effects the community in a negative way. It doesn’t teach any values for work or betterment of the community. Here is some of the proof.

We were approached by a group of young boys in Coffee Bay asking if they could sing us a song for a donation (Instead of looking pitifully sad asking for money/food). Hell yes, we ended up giving them 10 rand (< 1$) to sing us a song, it wasn’t Grammy award wining but it was helping support positive trends. Plus it was a Saturday, so they weren’t supposed to be in school.

Coffee Bay’s Hottest New Boy Band

We discovered some amazing sand sculptures while walking along a beach in Durban. There were a few small groups of street artists making sand sculptures for donations. We took a few photos of these beautiful displays and happily gave 40 rand (< 4$). They were extremely happy with this and we were too. I knew that the small amount to me was a huge difference to them. It truly made our experience in the city more valuable.

Sand Sculptures in Durban

In rural areas they recommend local residents practice crafts and artwork for sale. Many of these crafts are very unique. All of them are custom made and usually a very good value. Some of these can also have magic powers. We also purchased some very nice monkey apple carvings and could see the artist carving them and we knew exactly who we were supporting. Monkey apples are similar to coconuts with a hard shell that are found all over for free.

Colorful Crafts

Even though it is quite disheartening to see people begging. In the big cities small children will sometimes be forced to ask for change only to have it taken by gangsters. It is important to look around and assess the situation, but supporting begging only solves the immediate need and isn’t better in the long run.