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I have completely given up on giving money to beggars, whether on the street, in traffic or even on the church premises where begging is now becoming a fashion.

Beggars have now assumed all forms of pretences as their new strategy to squeeze money out of people. Many of those begging today have become professionals of sorts in the act using tale telling and feigned sickness, which have become their stock in trade.

Not too long ago, tricksters would wait near schools either at drop-off or pick-up times.

They approach unsuspecting parents or drivers with stories, depending on which brand of vehicle they see you driving. Most of the time their story is that they are working for a particular motor firm where you service your car, so they know you.

They go on to say that they have been sent by their managing director or sometimes they say they are dropping off his children but the vehicle they are using has broken down not too far off, so they need assistance in the form of taxi fare to get back to the office.

Many people did fall victim to those acts of 'extortion' until the media made noise about it and people became wiser. Many more tactics have since been invented by a new generation of beggars.

Just around my corner the other Saturday, I came face to face with a young lady with a baby on her back and a toddler holding her hand.

She signalled me to stop and so I did, thinking she was looking for someone in the neighbourhood.

Her story was that she often went to people's homes on Saturdays to help with their laundry and other house-keeping chores.

That Saturday morning, her clients said they did not have any chores for her, so she was begging me to give her something with which to feed her children.

Not long after this incident, I had gone one Sunday afternoon to visit a sick aunt. Sitting out on her patio, we heard someone knocking vigorously at the gate.

 When it was opened, in walked a lady with a morose demeanour and a story to offload even before she was offered a seat.

Her mission was that she made Ga kenkey for sale but for over two weeks, she had developed whitlow and therefore earned no income to feed her family.  Continued    Source: DAILY GRAPHIC - Daily Graphic

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