MinaKamina
Eclipsigrina ~ August 12, 2026
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Jacobspad 2017
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1200?? The scale of this is mind-boggling.Since October 2017 they have received "more than 2,000 communications in calls and mail. In the same period, "more than 1,200 people linked to criminal organizations of trafficking and sexual exploitation" have been arrested and "290 victims"
Terrible . Especially as everyone is in good spirits and people take advantage of thisIf you still feel like giving money to beggars, first read this. Do you really want to support human trafficking and mafia with your gift?
https://elpais.com/ccaa/2018/10/28/galicia/1540732401_716646.html
Police liberate 10 immigrants forced by a Romanian mafia to beg and act as statues in Santiago.
The network targeted people with "physical and mental disabilities" and women were also forced into prostitution.
The criminal organisation investigated for alleged crimes of human trafficking for the purpose of begging and sexual exploitation "captured its victims in Romania, preferably with physical and mental disabilities", and brought them to Spain "under a false promise of work." These people in "vulnerable situations" were promised a decent future, with "housing and a job in the hotel sector." Disabilities, says the police, would be very "profitable" to this mafia "for the real jobs, such as begging, they were going to do here."
With these promises, the victims agreed to travel to Spain, sometimes accompanied by their families, and they were transferred to the province of A Coruña "where they were housed in substandard housing controlled by the organization. The buildings "had deplorable conditions of health, hygiene and safety" and they "remained overcrowded."
It didn't matter if it rained or if there was a heat wave: according to the agents, "the investigated forced the victims to beg in the streets of Santiago, begging on their knees during days that lasted all day regardless of the weather conditions." "They also acted as mimes or human statues, collecting money without time to rest or eat," and everything they got was handed over "immediately" to the bosses. The persons now arrested were "particularly violent" when some of their clandestine workers "became ill and could not go out into the street." The women, moreover, were "threatened and controlled at all times by the owner of the place" where they were pushed into prostitution.
Apart from the three people arrested in Santiago, the investigators aim to locate their contacts abroad. They have already requested three European arrest and extradition warrants for the gang members "who are residing outside Spain." The National Police Force recalls that there is a "trafficking telephone" (900 10 50 90) and an email (trata@policia.es), attended by specialized police and "at the disposal of the citizens 24 hours a day." Since October 2017 they have received "more than 2,000 communications in calls and mail. In the same period, "more than 1,200 people linked to criminal organizations of trafficking and sexual exploitation" have been arrested and "290 victims" have been rescued, mainly "of Romanian, Nigerian, Chinese and Dominican nationality."
Not quite sure what you mean by "an alternative method of assisting". I sometimes offer food rather than money. But I dread to think what the ringleaders might do to "beggars" who eventually took no money hoome. It's a sad world, and I pray for all of them - the 'beggars' as well as the ringleaders.I chose an alternative method of assisting. Cheers
I don’t give money, I gave them bananas and they seemed to be very happy. But none of those I saw where sitting on their knees. One of them had a dog. I don’t know if there is any different from the other beggars. But I never give money.If you still feel like giving money to beggars, first read this. Do you really want to support human trafficking and mafia with your gift?
https://elpais.com/ccaa/2018/10/28/galicia/1540732401_716646.html
Police liberate 10 immigrants forced by a Romanian mafia to beg and act as statues in Santiago.
The network targeted people with "physical and mental disabilities" and women were also forced into prostitution.
The criminal organisation investigated for alleged crimes of human trafficking for the purpose of begging and sexual exploitation "captured its victims in Romania, preferably with physical and mental disabilities", and brought them to Spain "under a false promise of work." These people in "vulnerable situations" were promised a decent future, with "housing and a job in the hotel sector." Disabilities, says the police, would be very "profitable" to this mafia "for the real jobs, such as begging, they were going to do here."
With these promises, the victims agreed to travel to Spain, sometimes accompanied by their families, and they were transferred to the province of A Coruña "where they were housed in substandard housing controlled by the organization. The buildings "had deplorable conditions of health, hygiene and safety" and they "remained overcrowded."
It didn't matter if it rained or if there was a heat wave: according to the agents, "the investigated forced the victims to beg in the streets of Santiago, begging on their knees during days that lasted all day regardless of the weather conditions." "They also acted as mimes or human statues, collecting money without time to rest or eat," and everything they got was handed over "immediately" to the bosses. The persons now arrested were "particularly violent" when some of their clandestine workers "became ill and could not go out into the street." The women, moreover, were "threatened and controlled at all times by the owner of the place" where they were pushed into prostitution.
Apart from the three people arrested in Santiago, the investigators aim to locate their contacts abroad. They have already requested three European arrest and extradition warrants for the gang members "who are residing outside Spain." The National Police Force recalls that there is a "trafficking telephone" (900 10 50 90) and an email (trata@policia.es), attended by specialized police and "at the disposal of the citizens 24 hours a day." Since October 2017 they have received "more than 2,000 communications in calls and mail. In the same period, "more than 1,200 people linked to criminal organizations of trafficking and sexual exploitation" have been arrested and "290 victims" have been rescued, mainly "of Romanian, Nigerian, Chinese and Dominican nationality."
I don’t give money, I gave them bananas and they seemed to be very happy. But none of those I saw where sitting on their knees. One of them had a dog. I don’t know if there is any different from the other beggars. But I never give money.
Buen Camino
Venturing out from my eyrie in Scotland recently I was In London and waiting outside Kings Cross station for the rush hour to subside before taking the underground to my BnB. While I was sitting on one of the concrete benches there eating a sausage roll I realised I had company and looked down to see a Staffordshire Bull terrier looking up at me soulfully, or to be accurate , looking up at my sausage roll. I asked his owner, a rough sleeper judging by his belongings, if it was okay to give his dog a sausage roll, which he said it was. The owner asked if I had 17p to help him buy a coffee, when I offered more he responded that 17p was all he needed he wasn't begging. I waited with his dog while he went to buy the coffee and on his return he was carrying a plastic cup plus a smaller one which he put down on the ground, it was full of milk which Tyson (the dog) hastily drank. In future I will make sure I buy coffee tokens from the outlets around stations to give to people who want them, then they can make choices. I am ashamed that I live in a country where despite their best efforts and the force of circumstances people are forced to live on the streets and to do their best to hold on to the dignity which an economy, seemingly designed to service greed, does its best to smash.
Actually I saw a group of them sitting off of the plaza having a large picnic lunch together.I was in Santiago in 2015...2017 and in September this year and on all 3 occasions the same female was doing the " on the knees praying /begging thing " just round the corner from the cathedral square .This method of begging must be worthwhile for her or her handlers to still be doing it for what is now years .
Of course i don't know if this individual is one of the people referred to in the article, but now i suspect she is as last year i offered to buy her something to eat /drink and she refused .
When i passed this spot later in the evening , an older lady was in the exact same place ( in the rain )and again i offered to buy her some food and again she refused, she only wanted money .....she got none off me ...food yes..coffee yes...sympathy yes.......money no.
In the town where i now live i regularly buy homeless people coffee....sandwiches....a pair of gloves on one occasion ,but never money....i let them buy their own beer/ drugs .
Until we collectively stop giving money this problem will not go away ........just my opinion of course .
The residents of 'Bedlam' got 'three meals a-day'. Your point is?Actually I saw a group of them sitting off of the plaza having a large picnic lunch together.
You weren't, Tinca, and we know you weren't.For those who think I'm joking
Who are? The police? These contacts? It would be good to know more.Instead, inform relevant authorities or organisations working in the field.
"trafficking telephone" (900 10 50 90) and an email (trata@policia.es)
Who are? The police? These contacts? It would be good to know more.
I was in Santiago in 2015...2017 and in September this year and on all 3 occasions the same female was doing the " on the knees praying /begging thing " just round the corner from the cathedral square .This method of begging must be worthwhile for her or her handlers to still be doing it for what is now years .
Of course i don't know if this individual is one of the people referred to in the article, but now i suspect she is as last year i offered to buy her something to eat /drink and she refused .
When i passed this spot later in the evening , an older lady was in the exact same place ( in the rain )and again i offered to buy her some food and again she refused, she only wanted money .....she got none off me ...food yes..coffee yes...sympathy yes.......money no.
In the town where i now live i regularly buy homeless people coffee....sandwiches....a pair of gloves on one occasion ,but never money....i let them buy their own beer/ drugs .
Until we collectively stop giving money this problem will not go away ........just my opinion of course .
I
All said, if you see someone in need, and can assess their need as authentic, be charitable. Personally, I confine my donations to places like Pilgrim House. They help any pilgrim in need. As regards other residents of Santiago who do not appear to be authentic pilgrims, I rely on the local social-welfare net and benefits to provide for their needs.
Hope this helps.
Beautiful post, @chinacat. Thank you.If I meet another human being in need, and I am able to help by sharing what I have, once I have ‘given’ what I can, bearing in mind that this may be in any one, or more, of many different forms, not only material or financial ... it becomes the sole concern of the recipient. In other words, I neither desire nor expect any ‘control’ over how it is used ... giving anything, with ‘strings attached’, is not freely given, or shared.
OK go to India, or Mexico, or Guatemala, or South Africa or a million other places, you will end up destitute yourself if every time you 'meet another human being in need and share what you have'.
@chinacat was not saying 'every time,' she said 'and I am able.'OK go to India, or Mexico, or Guatemala, or South Africa or a million other places, you will end up destitute yourself if every time you 'meet another human being in need and share what you have'.
OK go to India, or Mexico, or Guatemala, or South Africa or a million other places, you will end up destitute yourself if every time you 'meet another human being in need and share what you have'. Your statement shows that your exposure to poverty is extremely limited.
This is not at all my view. It's impossible for me to back it up with hard facts but I'm convinced that globally as well as on national levels, people on the whole are better off than ever before. (I'm aware of the dangers of the growing gap between the very rich and the rest but that's a totally different story).The whole thing is symptomatic of societies where the gap between rich and poor has widened. Based on greed and profits. Society should serve the population in an economic setting that is sustainable and nurturing.
True but isn't the question what do I do when I visit Santiago or New York or Delhi as a visitor where I'm not terribly familiar with local, regional or national policy and conditions, be it social or economic or otherwise.As the original post made clear 'exposure to poverty' is not confined to destinations reached by long haul flights. Here in the UK
True but isn't the question what do I do when I visit Santiago or New York or Delhi as a visitor where I'm not familiar with local, regional or national policy and conditions, be it social or economic or otherwise. At home, there is something else you can do: you can vote. Or become a candidate perhaps. You don't have to aim for president straight away, local councillor (or whatever it's called where you live) might do.
A bit ironic posting this on a forum where pretty much everyone flies to and from their Camino, many long haul.Or instead, don't 'go to India, Mexico, or Guatamala, or South Africa' but contribute to the ecological future of the generations after us by cutting back on unnecessary air travel and instead donate the money you would have spent to a charity that can work to alleviating poverty.
'We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.' Oscar Wilde.
I was in Santiago in 2015...2017 and in September this year and on all 3 occasions the same female was doing the " on the knees praying /begging thing " just round the corner from the cathedral square .This method of begging must be worthwhile for her or her handlers to still be doing it for what is now years .
Of course i don't know if this individual is one of the people referred to in the article, but now i suspect she is as last year i offered to buy her something to eat /drink and she refused .
When i passed this spot later in the evening , an older lady was in the exact same place ( in the rain )and again i offered to buy her some food and again she refused, she only wanted money .....she got none off me ...food yes..coffee yes...sympathy yes.......money no.
In the town where i now live i regularly buy homeless people coffee....sandwiches....a pair of gloves on one occasion ,but never money....i let them buy their own beer/ drugs .
Until we collectively stop giving money this problem will not go away ........just my opinion of course .
In Sweden we have many, many, many beggars from Romania and Bulgaria. The reason they're here is that they are incredibly poor back home and they are desperate to provide for their families. Out of say... 10€ received, they send about 9€ home and spend 1€ on themselves. The more they spend on themselves, the longer they have to be away from their children, etc. They haven't come here in order to eat nice sandwiches that people give to them, or grilled chickens from the shop that cost say 8€ each. That could have fed their whole family for half a week back home.
Just trying to explain.
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