Consequences of begging and future aspirations of beggars to stop begging life in central Tanzania

Abstract

This study examined consequences of begging and future aspirations of beggars to stop begging life in Central Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 respondents composed of 130 beggars, non-beggars; 60 members of the focus group discussions and 30 key informants. Mixed methods and tools of data collection involving quantitative and qualitative approaches were used for data collection. Simple descriptive statistics were used for analyzing the data. The realized consequences of street begging were abusive languages from the public, harassments from municipal officials and police, harassment from fellow beggars, sun burn and cold during the nights, and sexual abuse were reported. Future aspirations of beggars in order to get rid of begging were getting capital to start small businesses, getting care giver for themselves and their children, getting employment and getting accommodation. Counseling approach was recommended to help street beggars so as they may become assertive and hence become assets instead of liabilities to their families and society at large.