Begging in Benin: A new sector

In Cotonou, they are visible almost all in the standing traffic lights for some, sitting in wheelchairs for others, begging among children is a reality. Other times repressed for this practice, beggars are resurfacing in the various arteries of our cities.

At the Saint Michel crossroads or in front of the Cotonou central mosque and many other major crossroads in the economic capital, it is not difficult to see young and old people, without or with a handicap, strolling where to park stretching out a hand to benefit from a few coins from generous passers-by. These people who can be described as beggars in addition to being very little appreciated by users are according to some a social problem.

"I don't understand why we leave these people in the city like this. They give our city a bad image (Cotonou) and at times indulge in practices that are not recommended ", according to Maman Fifamè, fruit seller. Lucien thinks that "it is time for things to change and for these beggars to leave our cities". He informs that : "Even in Parakou and Bohicon, it is the same observation. They are everywhere ". "Financial reasons are the main causes of this practice", tells us Ibrahim who continues by affirming : "The best solution would not be to expel these people who beg. It would surely be better to reintegrate them into society and show them that they are able to earn money by working themselves ", before criticizing the fact that some parents send their children to beg to meet the financial needs of the family : "It's sad to see some families living by begging. It must be recognized that there are parents who abuse their own children or those of their relatives by sending them to beg. You cannot use a human being for these economic needs, it is not equal ".

Possible solutions

Should we trust illiteracy to better explain the phenomenon of begging ? Non !! Replies Edmond a student who thinks the problem runs deeper and finds that ’: "There are literate people who condone this practice, not all beggars are illiterate ”. He does not fail to appeal to the authorities : "Our authorities must do a few things. In the meantime, they had started a repression and we no longer saw these beggars too much in the streets of the city., but now, it is as if nothing has been done ". The first victims of this practice remain these children who are used for this bad practice., deprived of a schooling and therefore of education constitute a social problem not only for the host country which is Benin and also their countries of origin for those who come from neighboring countries. These children do not enjoy their right to education.

Firmin KASSAGA