Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate factors contributing for street begging and its
challenges with particular emphasis on beggars in Jimma town. Purposive sampling technique was
used to select the participants. After the information was gathered using these instruments, the data
were analyzed and described using qualitative approach such as thematic analysis and case
description. Accordingly, poverty, health problems, disability, old age and related problems were
found to be the major factors that pushed the study participants to engage in begging. The cardinal
reasons for most of the different vulnerable categories of beggars to earn a meager living on the
streets, church yards and other collective quarters of the city is also related to, chronic food
shortage, insecurity, illiteracy and homelessness and unsanitary living conditions are some of the
major challenges have been facing. So, it is better if the government or institutions help the beggars
by giving them such as health care and job opportunity and also psycho-social treatment and all
community should give attention on preventing and rehabilitating the street beggars.
