The Beggar in a Red Expensive Shirt

A few years back, I lived with a cousin who everyday from work, would always bring home a handkerchief or two. Every day without fail he would always have new handkerchiefs. Everybody just thought he liked them and of course no one minded it because we did not have to buy any ourselves.

The habit got me curious though, and I asked him why he bought so many damn handkerchiefs.

What he told me, is something that has not escaped my mind to this day. He explained that on the road from his office to where he would have lunch, there was always a smartly dressed blind man who sold handkerchiefs for a living. The blind man would be at his spot every day whether it was sunny or rainy. He used the money he made from the sale of his handkerchiefs to cater for his living and provide for his family.

My cousin went on to explain that almost everybody he knew from his office and the neighboring offices would make a point to pass there and promote the blind man. He further explained that they did not do it out of pity or because they needed all those handkerchiefs but because they felt they needed to support the man’s course. Because unlike most disabled people, he just didn’t wake up every morning to go beg, he instead tried to do something little to fend for himself and provide for his family. My cousin also noted that he seemed to make quite a good amount of money from it.

 Most cities in the world and the third world more so, are riddled with beggars. In Nairobi although the situation is getting better, there are beggars at almost every corner. It would be absolutely absurd to dismiss these people because some of them are genuinely unable to fend for themselves due to one reason or the other. Most of them live miserably having to beg for food and money to meet very basic needs.  I feel it would be unfair to generally judge them or term them lazy or unproductive and therefore I shall not.

I however have a bone to pick with one specific beggar. There is a man who I have spotted at the corner right opposite Imenti house on Moi Avenue. Now this gentleman is crippled and has to use a wheelchair. From what I have observed he is in his 20’s and cannot use his legs from the knees down. I can tell this because although his upper body is well built and quite able, he kneels at his begging spot.

Martina Navratilova says that Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you're needed by someone.  I would think the man who is quite able from knee upwards would have some form of work, hawking even. Anyway, that is not my point.

Whenever I pass by there I always find the man, knelt on a mat or a pair of shoes. His wheelchair is safely and conveniently parked closely behind him. He always leans on a parking pole comfortably with one of his hands outstretched for your coin and his other hand on his mobile phone. More often than not you will find him chatting away with a friend.

My problem with this nice gentleman is not his age, his mat, his wheelchair, his disability or even his friend. My problem with him is his dressing.

Yes his dressing. The clothes he wears.

I am not a fashion man myself and I presume I have less than a good taste in clothes. I do not try to keep up with trends either, but I believe I follow them through observation and reading. For more than three years now, I have observed this gentleman and I can say without a single doubt that this man has kept up and still is keeping up with every passing fashion trend.

I would go on to describe these trends and name them but I might not be very well informed and might run the risk of exposing my ignorance. So I’ll say that any trend that has come up in the last three years, this man has kept up with it. Am not talking about cheap clothes that people buy in second hand stalls, no, am talking expensive shirts, t shirts, jeans  and jackets. The kind you buy at exhibition stalls for several thousands.

Now of course I am not trying to say that disabled people should not be fashion conscious on the contrary I think everybody should dress well. So here is my problem with the gentleman; WHY WOULD ANYONE WHO CAN AFFORD AN EXPENSIVE SHIRT,  BEG?

Myself, am the simple kind and I don’t necessarily spend much on clothes so you can guess that the man out dresses me by far. Anyone who can buy an expensive knock-off Gucci shirt does not need my 20 shillings surely. Most working Kenyans do not buy these expensive clothes not because they do not have the money but because they spend the money on food accommodation and anything else that will ensure they do not have to beg.

Beggars are people too, and do not get me wrong am not saying they should not dress well, but here is my question…why should I give you my hard earned money, to go buy clothes that I cannot afford to wear myself?

It is my thinking that people who beg are genuinely in need of basic human needs…food and shelter at best. Last I checked expensive knock-off clothes are not part of these basic human needs. I think it is wrong for this man and others like him to take money given to them out of kindness and human compassion and spend it on such things. If anything, I think this specific gentleman is capable of finding some form of work and making enough to even buy original Gucci shirts.

So I, good sir will not contribute my 20 shillings to your wardrobe money. 20 shillings in fact, is enough to buy a handkerchief from a certain blind man in industrial area.

Also next time you want to keep up with the latest male trends, do pass by Moi Avenue house opposite imenti house at the corner where 17b matatus pick and say halo to the beggar with a red knock-off Gucci shirt.

  

"I have not been handicapped by my condition. I am physically challenged and differently able." - Janet Barnes