HIVENAIJA WEEKLY PROMPT: BEGGARS.

PEXELS

The country's economy has been depreciating with each passing day. Not only the economy, the security and whatever makes us call Nigeria home.

From 100 naira for a tier of garri to almost 500 if not more in other states. Salaries aren't being paid, strike here and there(don't forget the terrorism), it's a surprise most people haven't taken to the streets.

The constant fall of the country's economy sends a shiver of fear down the spine of many Nigerians and with good reason. Many people loose their jobs plus with the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot have been affected.

Whenever I see beggars, I don't have any other thoughts than to help. This doesn't mean that I don't think with my head. There are certain times I don't even bother helping because I know the person would not appreciate it.

Most of the beggarly people on the streets are either with disabled limbs or claim to be deaf and mute. I use the word claim because they're not.

My thoughts are definitely how to help such people but like I mentioned, I'm not dumb.

I wouldn't forget how my heart practically shattered when I saw a young boy with malformed limbs on a wheelchair. He was under an umbrella and his eyes were practically lifeless. I was broke that day and I almost had to walk back home but the way he was under that umbrella, like he cared about nothing. He was just still, looking far into a distance.

I couldn't begin to imagine what was running through his mind as he was in that state but I'm sure it wasn't good. I moved closer to him and stretched out my hand with the only cash I had (it was a measly 40 bucks). He didn't even notice. I thought he was blind so I moved my hand closer to touch him.

He blinked numerous times before his unfocused eyes landed on me and then my hand. When he stretched out his hands to take it, I noticed they were deformed too. Somehow, some light returned to his eyes and it really shattered all I've known of life.

PEXELS

That's one of the many things I've had to witness when giving. I prefer to give little children than adults who clearly are on two legs and have two hands.

Maybe life is never fair and leaves us paralyzed to fight against it, still, I can't help but think of the many disabled people I've come across that have made a difference. I'm not saying they are too cowardly or whatever but that I've come across really funny beggars.

Beggars in my city is normal but it shouldn't be. A guy entered the bus I took on my way to school and begged me for money. I gave him. I wasn't fazed when he proceeded to beg others(i think this is where I became really skeptical of adult beggers).

However, "uncle" came back and asked me to be his girlfriend. That's where I was shocked. When I proceeded to block my ears with music, he snidely told me later, "it's like you're not serious". Ahn ahn! I actually laughed.

Which is why I take my time to assess someone before giving anything. My main focus are children and really old people(they may or may not be disabled but they're too old to work).

Which is why I'd like/prefer to pay visits to orphanages and charity homes.

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THANKS FOR READING, SAYONARA!