I am writing with regard to the article "Football selfie controversy: Outpouring of support, sympathy for young waste picker" (Apr. 7). Many people expressed their sympathy and donated money to the young girl who featured in a selfie as she was rummaging through a rubbish bin. I think the best help that the young girl and all those beggars living in the streets in general can receive is good shelter and a proper education. It is not their fault that they are poor and homeless. They are entitled to have a good life; it is their human right. Jonathan, Online response The support of citizens for this young girl is great and welcomed. However, I hope someone will get this little girl into school and pay for her education all the way to and through college. Wali Kareem, Online response This is very nice, but the trouble is that someone needs to establish a safe personal bank account for this girl, otherwise those who send her out will most likely take the money! Mark, Online response My question is why is the public so keen on giving large amounts of money to this young girl now? There are girls and boys like this everywhere. Everyone sees them almost every day, yet no one approaches them or attempts to help them unless the issue has been highlighted by the media. Rashid Razzak, Online response So much money is not good for her. I think people should be more sensible even when they are acting in good faith. Getting her into school and paying her school fees would be a better way to make her a part of society and to guarantee her future. This is not meant to show disrespect to those who have made donations, but throwing sums of money in one direction is not always the best solution. There are others who also need the attention. Muddassir, Online response Everyone was complaining about what this man did in taking the selfie in the first place, but no one would have donated any money and changed this girl's life if it wasn't for the photo. This is hypocrisy. There are hundreds of people in the streets of Jeddah just like this girl. The authorities are only upset about the photo, not because of the girl, but because it showed how the country still has this problem and no one is doing anything about it. Sami Al-Britani, Online response
