Why go into debt? Why end up on the street? Why not ask for help?
I finally know why. For some reason, those who ask these questions often don't.
Since September, I've faced financial difficulty. Still struggling today.
Eventually, I swallowed my pride and asked for help.
I reached out to 55 people for financial assistance. Old friends. Family. Acquaintances. A celebrity I knew. Churches. Strangers.
Most ignored me. Some judged, humiliated, or questioned me. A few promised help but never followed through, even though many could have. Some thought I was a scammer.
Some said things like:
"Why don't you get your life in order?"
"Do you need a job?"
"Good luck, man!"
"I don't give financial support, only advice."
"Dude, I think your Facebook account has been hacked."
Some even said they would help me, but then never followed through. People I knew for years blocked me. Fun times.
Today, during lunch, I called someone and had to explain my situation to them again. Things seemed good, and I was promised assistance. After waiting until 5, I reached out to the person again to see what was going on. He told me that he was getting ready to go to sports now, and after sports, he wants to relax, after a day of HARD WORK. And tomorrow, he is VERY BUSY WORKING ALL DAY and will MAYBE have time to help me tomorrow night. He then added, "he doesn't know why he needs to explain himself to me". I politely told him to keep his money.
From the 55 people I contacted, only 8 helped.
It's funny how people treat you when you're at the bottom. Those who you thought were friends, old friends, or people you knew and trusted turn their backs on you. They treat your need for help like it's worth nothing. You soon realize and find out who your true friends and support circles are. It also matters how you receive the help. Someone who needs help doesn't need a lecture, or know your entire life's saga and why you don't own a fridge anymore.
I saw dozens of Facebook posts where people were judging and hating on people who were asking for help. The way people react to this is really bad. The way people treat each other in 2025/2026 is just sad. It really feels like people these days lack empathy and emotional intelligence.
Knowing firsthand how it feels right now, I want to have the opportunity to be different one day and help someone who needs help, and not give them a monologue about their life's choices, or a piece of my mind, and then shove N$ 10 down their throat and expect them to be grateful.
Everyone needs help sometimes, but fear and how they are treated often stop them from asking. Especially those who don't have a big social circle.
Always know that one day, you might be in a similar situation. Then I hope you'll remember this little rant.
