Give only when you do it with joy

17 September 2013 - 09:16 By Stephanie Dawson-Cosser, Leonard Carr
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DESPERATE: A street child begs outside a restaurant in Cape Town Picture: ALON SKUY
DESPERATE: A street child begs outside a restaurant in Cape Town Picture: ALON SKUY

I often give to beggars, but feel bad sometimes when I don't want to engage

SHRINK RAP

Beggars have become ubiquitous. Their strategies vary from being entertaining and amusing to sad and pathetic, annoying and even threatening.

"Donor fatigue" describes how casual charity can become exhausting. When you start giving you feel in control and give from your abundance. After a while the demands seem greater as you realise how your donations add up.

Then beggars start to feel intrusive and draining, especially if you're using a drive as time out. Then you must deal with growing guilt at withholding your largesse.

The solution is to budget and make conscious choices about when and how much to give. - Leonard Carr

SUPERNANNY

In South Africa we are confronted daily with the realities of inequality.

I t is important to consider how we give to others. Is it with a willing heart or out of guilt?

Decide how much you can give away every month and to whom. When that money is used up, say you are "not able to give anything this time". - Stephanie Dawson-Cosser

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