EXPLOITATION

December 18th 2016, I was travelling from Ilorin to Lagos in a bus, and what happened inspired this write up.

A young woman at the second row was telling a gala hawker that if he didn’t bring her balance of #50 that she will make away with his gala, the hawker ran quickly to give her the balance whilst the bus was in motion, as soon she got her balance she threw his money into the road and she said all these people are thieves that if you aren’t careful they will run away with your balance. As expected, most of the people in the bus joined the conversation and it made me think.

Wasn’t it the same girl that bought a pack of fresh yoghurt and two pieces of fried turkey for 600 and 1000 naira respectively and she couldn’t give a street hawker 50 naira. 

This made me ponder on the scripture Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

This begs the question how do these hawkers survive? With the recession and inflation going on in the economy how do they cope?

Most times when we walk into big malls, boutiques, supermarkets, we never question their prices. We pay exactly what we see on the price tags and even hand out tips to the staff.

But the moment we are out of these shops and want to buy banana, our bargaining game gets off to the roof.

A poor widow with 12 hungry children at home tells you banana is N100. She even takes out her time to explain how difficult it was for her to even buy it, how the economy is so tough. But we insist that if it's not N50, we are not paying. 

Some of us even step back into our cars and make to drive away. But because 'half bread is better than none', this woman is forced to call you back and sell to you at little or no gain.

In her heart, she cries, she's worried about how she'll survive with her children. She silently reassures herself that 'It's well. God will definitely provide.'' 

While you happily chop the sweet banana. Take some seconds out and think about this. 

I'm always moved to tears when I see people who genuinely and helplessly hawk petty goods to feed and survive for that day, especially women and children. 

Please don't bargain hard with small vendors like this. They do business not to buy designer bags, trendy phones and watches, Gucci shoes and designer clothes but to LIVE and EAT for that day and the children share the remaining money to take to school the next day (that's if there's any left).

"He who gives to the poor lends to his maker"

SHARE this message and let the CHANGE start from you.

This touched me after reading and it inspired me to share my experience. Remember what matters when it comes to giving and charity is not the size of what you give but the heart of who is giving.

Be a blessing to someone today!

From Chibuzor Azodo