Dealing with poverty in Beijing
Just settling in after a long day of orientation activities. I had a conversation with a cab driver today that was pretty interesting. Two years ago, I spent the summer in Beijing at the Princeton in Beijing program, and I was struck by the number of beggars on the streets of Beijing. Many of them were children. This time around, I have seen almost no beggars at all, and I asked the cab driver if he too had noticed this difference over the years. He said that the government has taken measures to address the city's poverty problem. The beggars are now living in homeless shelters (previously nonexistent) where they are given food and a place to sleep. The child beggars have been collected and placed in homes where they receive schooling until the age of 18.
It seems that the Beijing government is dealing with poverty in a very practical and appropriate way, and it will be interesting to see if things are done differently in Jishou.
That's all for now! Off to a hotpot dinner in the Hutong with the PiA alumni crew!
- Rory
Comments
Rory- Its Bren. Didn’t hear the whole message you left this morning Saturday 24th but Mom and Dad are actually at the Islands. They left on Thursday probably coming back sometime tomorrow Sunday but I called her and read your June 23rd post over the phone…Hope you enjoyed your hot pot dinner ! and it was very interesting to hear how things have changed just in that one area regarding beggars in Beijing ahd it seems like for the better which is good. Well have fun ! Write again… Brendan
Posted by: Rory's mom | June 24, 2006 6:39 PM
Hi ror..we’re home and you’re not. Islands was cool..lots of loons. I can’t say I loved reading everyone’s comments about the traffic in Beijing…you know how I worry about cars. But glad to hear the poverty is being addressed. You must be on your trip now. Enjoy. call when you can…I walk from 6:45-7:15 am.
I love the book River Town…try to meet him!
Posted by: Rory's mom | June 26, 2006 9:32 PM
Hey Rory - Sara Winton passed on your blog address. I’ve been busily reading with great interest. Men in Black? I officially invite you to not sing that at the next alumni event (Jan. 4 if you’re wondering). I have friends (no, really) who have just returned from a year in China and want to go back. (shoju? some big city that sounds like that but I’m sure is spelled quite differently). I’ll keep reading, you keep safe and interesting. I wonder if the Beijing poverty solution would work in Hartford? -Roets
Posted by: jeffroets | June 29, 2006 4:43 PM
hey enjoy the meal u big fat seal. i went there done that. and i gave ab elephant a bath hahahahahahah bad poverty has to stop,
Posted by: awsomest | May 19, 2008 2:54 AM