Beggars vs begging school kids: Who should you support?

We’ve all seen it. The beggar at the traffic light, the man walking with a limp and a deformed limb, asking for money, not forgetting the young woman with two young children softening the hearts of motorists as she begs for money. 

I do the best I can to help those in need. But seeing a beggar at a traffic light always breaks my heart. I kept thinking - what happened in their lives to bring them to this point?

Read: Stats SA findings show poverty on the rise in SA

I’ve also seen guys celebrating their bull's party asking for cash before they take the big step. You have to commend them for being brave enough to stand out there with a pair of heels and a mini skirt. 

Then on Monday, a listener asked an awkward question that no one wants to answer. I received a voice note from a listener who had just driven past someone who was more than likely homeless and was begging on the side of the road.

But then on another road, he drove past a group of individuals and what he witnessed has left him in a moral dilemma. Here's what unfolded...

I was a bit divided by this one. While I understand that they are doing it for a good cause, is there not a better means of raising funds for their trips? Can the school or their parents not sponsor them?  

Would you instead donate money to a beggar who needs money to survive or young school kids for their sports tour?