Beggars

The local Beggars are varied in age and number of limbs however, all seem to have mental health and substance abuse problems.

The usual opening line is “my friend” or “chef” (boss) followed by a demand for money. One yesterday appeared to be big, young and physically fit, he could speak a little English as well. He was looking for 50 Kwanza (80 Kwanza = 1 US Dollar, petrol is 40 Kwanza for a litre).

Our drill supervisor took pity on the one legged guy, who usually eats from the trash pile (all in the photo, by the way, most of that waste paper is coutesy of a United Nations office). The next time we saw him, he was drinking beer.

There are a few people with withered limbs from polio. I saw one teenage schoolgirl, in smart uniform, with a withered leg, this lunchtime.