Project
Research on Professional Beggars in Khulna
Despite the government's efforts to abolish begging, hundreds of beggars can be seen in Bangladesh cities – on the roadside, at traffic signals and outside commercial buildings. Theyare registered under a number of categories including seasonal or irregular, disabled, women and children. The Nice Foundation conducted research on the issue, using its own funds, and presented recommendations to the government.
Period of research:
- 2010
Funded by:
- Own funds
Objectives:
- To understand better the reasons for begging in Khulna and to make recommendations for how it can be reduced through meeting beggars’ individual needs.
Activities:
- conducting a survey of 2,200 beggars in Khulnato understand the number of beggars, their reasons for begging, and their assets and income;
- identifying those beggars genuinely in need of support;
- understanding better the root causes of begging and making recommendations to government on how it may be eradicated with appropriate support.
Outcomes:
Some Islamic religious values encourage people to give to beggars, for example: “If a beggar comes to beg on horseback he should not be avoided”; after the death of a relative, helping a beggar will get blessings from Allah; or people may give money to beggars with serious diseases or in particular danger. The survey showed there no organisation of beggars in Khulna. Though we had insufficient means to provide skill development training, education to their children, income generation source or attach them in development activities, we were able to make recommendations to government that projects should focus on beggars’ need for self-esteem and dignity.
