By Peter EFANDE
Except you have a heart of stone, the sight of beggars on our streets pricks compassion. Who knows, fate has its twists and turns; and who says you cannot be in the shoes of a beggar?
But when we learn of begging street children snatching bags and assaulting peaceful citizens with knives (especially in Douala), compassion is transformed into anger and fear. You may still be kind hearted, but, for how long when you learn that the widow’s mite you give is spent by these children in procuring marijuana (or call it "Banga").
That’s not all. How many of us will continue to be free givers when (as the rumour machine has it), what you give may be used for occult practices. The consequences are anybody’s guess for you the donor. We are confused as we find ourselves between compassion and fear.
