Why do we give charity

The sight of beggars, beggars, homeless people in many of us causes a whole range of (uncomfortable) emotions, which are not always easy to come to terms with. To serve or not to serve? And if so, to whom and how?

To understand these feelings, we walked along the streets of Moscow, railway stations, crossings, visited the walls of the monastery and talked with those who asked for alms. They willingly made contact: it was important for these people that they were interesting to someone, that someone was ready to listen to them. Every one of them asked why we need to know their names and where they used to live.

People passing by also reacted differently. When they saw that we were interviewing, some stopped, listened, and then they themselves began to communicate, ask questions, share information about where you can find an overnight stay, a charity dinner …

Although, if it were not for us, it seems that almost no one would do this: it is difficult for us to take the first step ourselves. We live in the neighborhood of people in need, as if we do not see them, and we dare to speak only when someone else does it first.

Sergey, 43 years old

He “works” in the city center near the temple. Packets are at his feet. People leaving the church give him money, and he immediately puts it in his pocket. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t nod in response, just smiles timidly.

Sergei, a welder by profession, came from the Kostroma region to Moscow several years ago. At first he worked in different teams at construction sites near Moscow, but one day he had a conflict with a foreman, he was severely beaten and all his money and documents were taken away. He woke up in the hospital where he had fled. Since then, it spends the night near heating mains or in the basements of houses, sometimes at construction sites.

“When I was in the hospital, one person suggested which temple they give out free meals. I went there, but immediately said that I wanted to work, I was ashamed to be a freeloader. I am often offered clothes or food, and I never refuse, even if I don’t need it at the moment: I feel like I annoy people, and I’m afraid I don’t want to do this.

No one knows that I am a core, many say: why are you begging here, you can plow on you! I usually don’t answer anything, I don’t want to strain people, disturb them … Sometimes the kids come up, talk, they are not afraid of me, and it’s so joyful.

I don’t care about money or things, but how people look at me. When they smile, say hello, it means that they do not consider me a completely finished person, and it becomes easier for me to live.

Vladimir, 19 years old, student

Past Sergei are two young men. One of them hands him ten rubles and half a pack of cigarettes, the other turns away.

“I feel sorry for him,” Vladimir says. – I understand the position he was in, perhaps for reasons beyond his control … In general, I always try to apply, if there is extra money, I give it to those whom I feel trust in. I think: you never know, what if I, too, someday find myself in a similar position? I have friends who say: I can’t stand homeless people, beggars, they brought themselves to such a state, it’s their own fault – let them get out on their own.

Artem, 20 years old, student

“I just think,” says Vladimir’s friend standing next to him, “that every person, if he is not disabled, is able to find a job. Volodya gives him money and thereby encourages begging! In general, the issue of employment of such people should not be decided by me and not at my expense.

Sasha, 16 years old

Sasha is sitting in the passage between two metro stations. He does not want to tell where he came from, but admits that he has been living at the Yaroslavl railway station for a long time. He has no parents, no close relatives either. When talking, Sasha often looks around, fearing that someone will see how we are talking with him.

“I have to give part of the money for the fact that I can sit here. My hand is crippled. You have to pay for treatment. I’ll pick it up and go home.

I am often asked what is wrong with my hand, why I am shaved… I am shy to answer, people may be shocked by what they hear. I smile. In general, when you smile, people serve more willingly. Although a few times and had a chance to hear rudeness. I am afraid of aggressive people, it is difficult for me to defend myself … “

Lera, 47 years old, lawyer

She looks at Sasha for a long time, then drops a few coins into the box: “I serve quite often: if something touches me in a person, I have no doubt. I am guided by my intuition: I need to understand what a person asks for himself and not for a drink.

I often see this boy here, and I have no doubt that he really needs. I look at him and remember my brother, they are somehow similar … “

Alexander, 18 years old, student

On the run, he throws a box of money at Sasha: “I feel embarrassed if I see a beggar person. But I didn’t think about why. It is considered ugly to turn away from poverty. I think you should just serve if you can.”

Peter, 72 years old

Six months ago, he came to Moscow from Yamal. Peter is sitting behind the bus stop, in front of him is a hat in which there is an icon. Two elderly women stop, greet him, put coins in his hat, he nods with dignity. He is given a lot and willingly.

“I am a geologist, I don’t even remember my family, I wandered all over the plagues and on expeditions. Well, now – age. I live mainly in forest parks, and I spend money on paper, envelopes, pens …

I wrote a letter to the patriarch, I will write another letter to the president. There must be some kind of justice in the world, strong, kind people who will not let the old man go to waste! I really hope for people, I believe that they will understand me.

In general, they often serve me, they don’t disdain. Especially young girls and older couples. Just recently they came up and gave me a good hat. And who doesn’t apply, I don’t judge them, you never know who has any circumstances.

Lesya, 27 years old, mathematician

She walks past Peter without looking in his direction.

“I never give alms. One knowledgeable person very clearly explained to me that all these people are a whole mafia structure.

Sometimes I buy some bouquets, knitted socks or dill-parsley from old women, but only because they made some effort – they knitted, grew … I believe that a working person deserves a reward, unlike those who simply put pressure on my pity. Sometimes I give to the monks, but not just like that, but I ask them to pray for the dead – this is also a job for which I pay. ”

Alexander, 55 years old, driver

He approaches Pyotr, greets him amiably, and puts fifty rubles into his hat. “I always serve for a very simple reason. When I was little, my grandmother took me to church and always served to the poor, instructed: “These are God’s people, if you have money, it’s better to give it away, you will have more.”

I am a believer, and love for my neighbor is not empty words for me. I also believe that children should definitely be explained what compassion is, how hard it is for a homeless person to live. So I raised my son in such a way that he served without hesitation, if there is such an opportunity.

Anatoly Nikolaevich, 51 years old, and Vera, about 40 years old

They live at the Kursk railway station. Vera has a mug with change and a cardboard with some text in her hands, which she immediately hides when she sees us. Anatoly agrees to talk, but first asks how much we will pay for it.

“I am a homeless person with experience: soon there will be ten years of my free life. I came to Moscow from the Kemerovo region, I wanted to see the capital. I am an electrician by profession, but can you see the world with this salary? And I traveled all over Europe without documents! Don’t believe? Have you been to Rome? Would you like to tell me what the Colosseum or Castel Sant’Angelo look like?

I am an artist by nature, although I live on alms. I have my own technique, I have studied people well, I can find an approach to anyone. I will never approach a pregnant woman so as not to frighten her. I do not speak to young couples, so as not to run into ridicule.

Women most often respond if you ask for “bread”, men – if you ask for “cigarettes” or “to get drunk”, each of them can show sympathy. The main thing is to be worthy of yourself. I may be a bum, but I don’t drink, I try to look normal, not repulsive. I chose this life myself, I am free, I do not interfere with anyone, and let no one interfere with me.

Jan, 34, entrepreneur

Having noticed us, he approaches, listens to the conversation, then joins it to express his opinion: “I prefer to provide targeted assistance, but I rarely serve on the street. In general, giving money to those who ask for alms is not in my rules: if they ask “for bread,” we go together to the bakery and buy bread; they ask “to take the metro” – we go to the metro, I spend it on my ticket.

When I offer this option, often the person immediately turns around and leaves. Well, that doesn’t upset me. If I’m ready to invest in someone, then not so much with money, but with my own, like everyone else’s, precious time: ask a person about his life, walk with him to the bakery, suggest where you can eat for free, where they give clothes and etc.

Once, together with one man, we went to the store, and I bought him … a button accordion – he was collecting money for an instrument to earn a living. And I am absolutely sure that he did not sell it immediately at half price – he chose it with such love.

Alexandra, 60 years old

She usually kneels near one of the underground passages in the center of Moscow, on Novy Arbat. With one hand, Alexandra leans on a stick, bows and crosses herself when she is served. She is wearing a dark scarf, glasses with an elastic band are put on “upside down”.

She says that she lives in the Moscow region, that her daughter takes away her pension: “I don’t even know how much money I am entitled to for 40 years of work experience. And what can I say about my daughter … I won’t, I don’t want to talk. I am served most often by women or men in uniform, soldiers. It’s hard to ask… You guys better move away, don’t interfere.”

For half an hour, they gave her almost nothing: a teenage girl dropped an apple into a box, and her grandmother a trifle. Alexandra bows and wishes the girl a “good groom” and her grandmother “good Siberian health.”

Irma, 31 years old, producer

She parks her car near where Alexandra is standing. “I serve very rarely. Beggars remind me that there is something ugly in the world, and I don’t want to think about it. Most of all, those who ask at intersections piss me off.

I ride the same route regularly, several times a day. And all the time – the same characters. They knock on the glass, if you don’t react, they can scold you. Sometimes I give to musicians, but this is not charity – I pay for the pleasure.

Anna, 29, economist, friend of Irma

“But I, on the contrary, never give to musicians: it seems to me that they collect everything for their beer. I never give money to beggars with children. Only if the child is “hooked” by the fact that it looks like my son.

Then I ask this woman if she will take juice or cookies for the baby if I buy them right now. I also ask the child what he wants, buy something in the nearest tent and give it to him. At the same time, I always unpack the juice stick, stick it into the bag and wait while he drinks. I want to be sure that what I gave him will not be taken away from him: if he does not get this juice, I will be very unpleasant and offended.