Story of Coli

[rebeccajo 14]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/04/21...a.ap/index.html

"It's big business in Senegal. In the capital of Dakar alone, at least 7,600 child beggars work the streets, according to a study released in February by the ILO, the United Nations Children's Fund and the World Bank. The children collect an average of 300 African francs a day, just 72 cents, reaping their keepers $2 million a year.

Most of the boys -- 90 percent, the study found -- are sent out to beg under the cover of Islam, placing the problem at the complicated intersection of greed and tradition. For among the cruelest facts of Coli's life is that he was not stolen from his family. He was brought to Dakar with their blessing to learn Islam's holy book.

In the name of religion, Coli spent two hours a day memorizing verses from the Quran and over nine hours begging to pad the pockets of the man he called his teacher."

[Ban Hammer 13,367]

sad. surprising no other replies yet.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Why is this sad? This boy is learning the Quran, he will be better off for it. So what if he has to beg? It's called a payment plan

[Ban Hammer 13,367]

Why is this sad? This boy is learning the Quran, he will be better off for it. So what if he has to beg? It's called a payment plan

you can do better than that!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Why is this sad? This boy is learning the Quran, he will be better off for it. So what if he has to beg? It's called a payment plan

you can do better than that!

Big picture, isn't the boy better off for his Quranic education? After all, what more useful skill can one learn in this day and age than the words of the Quran?

A little indignity by begging isn't such a bad thing. Raises money for his education and teaches him humility.

[Ban Hammer 13,367]

Why is this sad? This boy is learning the Quran, he will be better off for it. So what if he has to beg? It's called a payment plan

you can do better than that!

Big picture, isn't the boy better off for his Quranic education? After all, what more useful skill can one learn in this day and age than the words of the Quran?

A little indignity by begging isn't such a bad thing. Raises money for his education and teaches him humility.

"In the name of religion, Coli spent two hours a day memorizing verses from the Quran and over nine hours begging to pad the pockets of the man he called his teacher."

yeah i'm seeing that ratio is about right

[Niels Bohr 72]

Begging is common among every third world country. This is just a piece of the world. Very difficult to fix things in the political world.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Why is this sad? This boy is learning the Quran, he will be better off for it. So what if he has to beg? It's called a payment plan

you can do better than that!

Big picture, isn't the boy better off for his Quranic education? After all, what more useful skill can one learn in this day and age than the words of the Quran?

A little indignity by begging isn't such a bad thing. Raises money for his education and teaches him humility.

"In the name of religion, Coli spent two hours a day memorizing verses from the Quran and over nine hours begging to pad the pockets of the man he called his teacher."

yeah i'm seeing that ratio is about right

Begging is a slow business. It takes time.

[Ban Hammer 13,367]

Why is this sad? This boy is learning the Quran, he will be better off for it. So what if he has to beg? It's called a payment plan

you can do better than that!

Big picture, isn't the boy better off for his Quranic education? After all, what more useful skill can one learn in this day and age than the words of the Quran?

A little indignity by begging isn't such a bad thing. Raises money for his education and teaches him humility.

"In the name of religion, Coli spent two hours a day memorizing verses from the Quran and over nine hours begging to pad the pockets of the man he called his teacher."

yeah i'm seeing that ratio is about right

Begging is a slow business. It takes time.

do tell

[kerewin21 2]

I spent 3 months in Senegal. The situation of the Talibes is very sad. They are forced to beg for food daily, and of course many of the people they beg from are quite poor themselves so what they end up with is just leftover rice. And the worst part is that they are expected to bring even the food they beg to their instructors, who then dispense whatever they don't want.

[Fandango 1,439]

so sad

I did read this title as 'Story of Stoli' btw.....

[William33 110]

Welcome to the big picture of the realities in the world....

To include, most African countries, many Southeast Asian countries, some MENA and some SA. Begging and abject poverty are a daily thing there.

Then some wonder why US spouses give money to the foreign spouses family. Go figure?

Anyone who objects to this practice, needs to visit these areas and see for themselves.

The recipients don't ask for it, but are appreciative of the help.

Edited April 22, 2008 by William33