The number of beggars and street kids in Addis Ababa is frustrating. It is a hassle to walk down the street, and sometimes I wonder if I should give them money; but if I did, I would be swarmed by all of the impoverished individuals laying about on the street. It is a tough moral choice.

One kid followed me around for quite awhile; chatting with me, telling some stories. He spent most of his days in the market. And of course, nearing my destination, the conversation drifted to his situation of unemployment. It was hard for him to find a job; and he was hinting at threats. "If I am poor, and I rob you, would you be angry?"

"Of course I would. I already have several thousand dollars a year which goes to aid. I am already giving you money, so why should I give you more?"
"I have never seen it," he muttered. "They say that if a man is hungry, you should not give him a fish, but a fishing line. But I have never seen this....line....."

I told him that if he was offering a service, the service must be explained before it is given, and a price must be set for the service. He was visibly angry. We walked for a few more metres, and he began swearing; the usual tantrum that goes along with discovering that your plan to leech money from the white man hadn't worked. I walked over to a policeman and explained the case – and that I wanted to do the right thing, and did not want this boy to leave angry. The boy tried to say that he offered a service, but I denied this. The boy stormed off. An old man intervened.
"In Africa, we have many unemployed, many people who cannot find jobs. When we can, we help them."
"I want to do the right thing," I said.
"Then perhaps you should give this boy a tip, for the time he spent with you," he said.
I agreed. I gave him ten Birr, and told him to shake my hand. He did it reluctantly. "Please do not leave angry," I told him. He apologized for being angry, but still left in an unfriendly manner.
"I will give him another warning about being angry like this," the old man said."
"Please do."
I thanked the police officer for his mediation, and he told me to be careful. I went on my way. The boy was a thief from the market, I was certain of it that at this point. Perhaps he just wanted to try something different, and make a little "honest" money by trying to get tipped by a foreigner.
So I began walking again – and within a minute I was being followed by an old lady and two kids – all begging for money.
How can I possibly give everyone who approaches me money? I can't. Perhaps once in awhile, but not always. This is what makes Addis Ababa difficult – the constant demand for money. It is by no means a universal thing among the Ethiopians to beg – I have been treated a few times. But the vast majority of times it is begging, and often the decision to give is difficult. I only hope I do not get attacked.

Addis Ababa - Day 2

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