I am beggin' you for mercy

A few days ago, President Hamid Karzai decided to make begging illegal. What has been the only way of surviving for millions of Afghans is now considered shameful for the Afghan people, and beggars will be taken care of and sent to big camps. However, first it is necessary to separate poor beggars from professional ones. With a culture that says that you must help anyone who asks for help, begging is one of the most lucrative 'job' available for many people. According to my driver, up to 80% of the beggars in Kabul do it professionally. Can't really blame them, but they better be careful, or be prepared to share some with the not-always-so-perfect police, if they want to continue with that profession.