WEBVTT 00:00:05.605 --> 00:00:09.830 Cecilia's pension isn't enough to live on, so she asks strangers 00:00:09.830 --> 00:00:11.347 for money in the Berlin subway. 00:00:11.550 --> 00:00:14.248 She's one of many people in Germany who go begging. 00:00:14.574 --> 00:00:15.153 Money? 00:00:15.373 --> 00:00:15.836 Money? 00:00:16.974 --> 00:00:17.860 No money? 00:00:17.869 --> 00:00:19.970 She also begs for food. 00:00:20.921 --> 00:00:22.695 Could you give me a bit of bread? 00:00:23.556 --> 00:00:24.810 Claude is homeless. 00:00:24.829 --> 00:00:27.020 At night, he begs in Berlin's bars. 00:00:27.030 --> 00:00:29.936 He needs money for food, and to feed his addiction. 00:00:30.903 --> 00:00:32.757 Hi, do you two have any spare change? 00:00:39.873 --> 00:00:42.940 What's really annoying is when they disturb you while you're eating. 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:47.870 In a wealthy country like Germany, what leads people to beg for money? 00:01:05.270 --> 00:01:09.000 As night falls, Claude is in Berlin's trendy Neukölln district, 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:10.521 trying to make some money. 00:01:12.459 --> 00:01:13.359 I hate this. 00:01:15.163 --> 00:01:18.184 I'm going to go to a few bars to get a few euros. 00:01:23.366 --> 00:01:26.310 Hey guys, sorry, do you have any change? 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:31.293 I've been back on the street for four years now. 00:01:31.590 --> 00:01:34.340 Before that, I had an apartment nearby. 00:01:34.989 --> 00:01:36.315 So, this is my neighborhood. 00:01:37.350 --> 00:01:39.844 That's why I have my fixed route here. 00:01:40.253 --> 00:01:42.584 I have regular bars I go to. 00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:47.545 This area is popular with other beggars too, 00:01:47.765 --> 00:01:49.756 and it's a highly competitive business. 00:01:51.960 --> 00:01:55.280 Currently, Claude needs around 40 to 50 euros a day. 00:01:55.280 --> 00:01:57.639 He's taking medication to treat his addiction, 00:01:57.639 --> 00:01:59.431 so he doesn't need so many drugs. 00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:02.511 The evening goes well for him, although getting around 00:02:02.511 --> 00:02:04.001 isn't always easy. 00:02:06.711 --> 00:02:08.088 Oh man, I hate it. 00:02:09.572 --> 00:02:13.290 Before the pandemic, Claude had a job as an event technician. 00:02:13.530 --> 00:02:16.101 But then came unemployment, drug addiction, 00:02:16.101 --> 00:02:17.800 and he ended up on the street again. 00:02:18.274 --> 00:02:19.869 He's a familiar face here. 00:02:21.053 --> 00:02:23.268 I haven't seen you for ages, I was worried. 00:02:31.078 --> 00:02:32.701 Wow, that's amazing, thank you. 00:02:34.110 --> 00:02:35.549 I'll just ask these people. 00:02:36.811 --> 00:02:38.951 Hi folks, do you have any change for me? 00:02:39.673 --> 00:02:41.580 Sorry, some people beat you to it. 00:02:42.016 --> 00:02:43.124 Oh damn. 00:02:43.750 --> 00:02:44.538 Here we go… 00:02:46.478 --> 00:02:47.944 Cecilia is tired. 00:02:48.510 --> 00:02:51.020 She makes her way through the morning bustle outside 00:02:51.020 --> 00:02:54.133 Berlin's Zoo train station, hoping to get a free breakfast 00:02:54.133 --> 00:02:56.038 from a local homeless charity there. 00:02:56.910 --> 00:03:00.531 Cecilia's daily routine is built around the offer of free meals. 00:03:03.080 --> 00:03:07.416 It's a simple equation: the more free food she can get, 00:03:07.416 --> 00:03:09.074 the less she'll have to beg. 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:13.913 Only rarely can she stay the night with a family member. 00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:17.300 On the streets, she seeks out shelter with other people. 00:03:22.076 --> 00:03:25.020 I go where there are people, where there are other women. 00:03:25.130 --> 00:03:27.160 Like in a tent, so that we're together. 00:03:27.169 --> 00:03:28.969 Never alone. Because I'm afraid. 00:03:31.639 --> 00:03:33.870 Cecilia has raised six children. 00:03:33.880 --> 00:03:36.784 When she first got pregnant, she had to break off her training 00:03:36.784 --> 00:03:38.259 to become a hairdresser. 00:03:40.089 --> 00:03:43.765 She often begs with friends, but none of them are here today. 00:03:43.860 --> 00:03:45.978 So, she has to go alone. 00:03:48.580 --> 00:03:49.878 Can you give me a few? 00:03:53.670 --> 00:03:54.821 Oh, thank you. 00:03:55.790 --> 00:03:56.906 Thank you very much. 00:04:00.281 --> 00:04:00.846 Bye. 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:04.119 Look at these strawberries! 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:06.100 I scrounged them. 00:04:06.200 --> 00:04:07.634 And he gave them to me. 00:04:10.510 --> 00:04:11.561 They're delicious. 00:04:11.799 --> 00:04:12.589 Do you want one? 00:04:13.549 --> 00:04:14.968 Do you have a couple of euros? 00:04:15.710 --> 00:04:17.220 No, we're begging ourselves. 00:04:17.230 --> 00:04:18.539 We've just been begging. 00:04:18.550 --> 00:04:19.820 We're hungry too. 00:04:19.830 --> 00:04:20.836 But it's okay. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:25.190 Cecilia relies on support from the state. 00:04:25.200 --> 00:04:28.175 Not just financial help, but also social activities. 00:04:29.760 --> 00:04:31.100 Look, you can do bowling. 00:04:31.473 --> 00:04:34.501 Things like that are so expensive, but here it's all free, 00:04:34.556 --> 00:04:36.800 and you can get to know lots of other people too. 00:04:39.133 --> 00:04:42.028 Meanwhile, the welfare office has just given Claude 00:04:42.028 --> 00:04:43.556 a room he can stay in. 00:04:43.830 --> 00:04:47.670 It's an important step as he tries to get back to a normal life. 00:04:47.670 --> 00:04:50.146 Having a safe place to live is vital. 00:04:52.516 --> 00:04:54.660 Keeping appointments can be really hard. 00:04:57.391 --> 00:04:59.988 Because I don't know if I can get there, 00:05:02.238 --> 00:05:04.111 or where I'll be able to sleep. 00:05:05.276 --> 00:05:06.569 So, it doesn't really work. 00:05:07.922 --> 00:05:10.475 Claude has been in a wheelchair for the past six months 00:05:10.475 --> 00:05:12.361 because of an infection in his legs. 00:05:13.310 --> 00:05:15.651 His new room is in another part of town. 00:05:15.950 --> 00:05:17.730 He'll have to change his routine. 00:05:19.964 --> 00:05:24.270 I'll probably set up a second area somewhere over where I’ll be staying. 00:05:26.130 --> 00:05:28.950 I'll see if I can find a corner that's relatively 00:05:28.950 --> 00:05:30.730 lucrative for begging. 00:05:35.029 --> 00:05:36.938 That way I'll have a bit of variety. 00:05:40.760 --> 00:05:43.204 A transport service comes by and picks him up 00:05:43.204 --> 00:05:44.521 to get his dressing changed. 00:05:45.160 --> 00:05:47.409 Claude hopes to be walking again soon. 00:05:48.990 --> 00:05:51.163 Cecilia is on her way to lunch. 00:05:51.510 --> 00:05:54.538 She asks for money or food wherever she can. 00:06:00.410 --> 00:06:02.103 I'm sure I can give you something. 00:06:03.010 --> 00:06:04.249 Here's one-fifty. 00:06:04.850 --> 00:06:05.641 Thank you! 00:06:07.870 --> 00:06:10.347 What leads people in Germany to beg? 00:06:10.870 --> 00:06:12.801 The number living below the poverty line 00:06:12.801 --> 00:06:14.411 is around 13 million, 00:06:14.645 --> 00:06:15.933 even though many of those 00:06:15.933 --> 00:06:17.821 have jobs or receive welfare. 00:06:18.455 --> 00:06:22.214 Many are single parents, women, or families with children. 00:06:22.670 --> 00:06:26.070 Debt, job-loss or illness can push them into begging, 00:06:26.110 --> 00:06:28.050 explains Sünje Hansen. 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:31.790 It's incredibly shameful for people. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:34.580 It's definitely not something you get used to. 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:38.120 Because the reactions beggars get are often very unpleasant. 00:06:38.619 --> 00:06:39.990 So, it's a vicious circle. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.863 If you keep having negative experiences, then it becomes 00:06:42.863 --> 00:06:44.083 more and more unpleasant. 00:06:46.670 --> 00:06:50.390 It's particularly dangerous for women, who are at more risk of 00:06:50.390 --> 00:06:52.504 violence and often try to go unnoticed 00:06:52.504 --> 00:06:53.866 when they're on the streets. 00:06:54.430 --> 00:06:57.550 Begging is allowed in Germany, but it's increasingly being pushed 00:06:57.550 --> 00:06:58.874 out of the public eye. 00:06:59.350 --> 00:07:02.998 It's forbidden to ask people for money in many city centers, 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:05.639 as well as in the subways in Hamburg and Munich. 00:07:06.550 --> 00:07:08.719 Beggars can face fines or bans. 00:07:08.990 --> 00:07:12.830 But Berlin is less strict, and asking for money isn't banned. 00:07:15.410 --> 00:07:16.291 Can you help me? 00:07:16.490 --> 00:07:17.646 Yes, no problem. 00:07:22.489 --> 00:07:26.040 This train is too crowded for Cecilia to beg properly. 00:07:26.301 --> 00:07:27.161 No money? 00:07:29.840 --> 00:07:31.716 She changes to another train. 00:07:35.390 --> 00:07:36.593 Do you have a few euros? 00:07:37.816 --> 00:07:38.332 No? 00:07:38.916 --> 00:07:39.518 No. 00:07:41.150 --> 00:07:42.461 Do you have a few euros? 00:07:42.870 --> 00:07:43.900 Money? 00:07:43.910 --> 00:07:44.684 No? 00:07:45.825 --> 00:07:47.193 Hey, little doggy. 00:07:54.110 --> 00:07:55.180 Thank you. 00:07:55.190 --> 00:07:56.249 Do you have any money? 00:07:56.750 --> 00:07:58.066 A couple of euros? 00:08:00.430 --> 00:08:03.250 Often, people go out of their way to help. 00:08:05.910 --> 00:08:07.829 I'll pay for it myself later. 00:08:08.348 --> 00:08:09.013 Thank you. 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:12.255 Look, poppy seeds. 00:08:15.066 --> 00:08:16.292 Do you have a few pennies? 00:08:18.160 --> 00:08:21.203 Unfortunately, not, we don't have any cash. 00:08:21.974 --> 00:08:23.464 Maybe he has something. 00:08:31.550 --> 00:08:32.355 Thank you. 00:08:32.630 --> 00:08:34.249 Now I can buy myself a drink. 00:08:35.358 --> 00:08:36.963 But it doesn't always work. 00:08:37.750 --> 00:08:39.106 Any spare change? 00:08:39.350 --> 00:08:40.059 No, sorry. 00:08:40.550 --> 00:08:41.843 Only big bills? 00:08:41.990 --> 00:08:43.070 Too bad, thanks. 00:08:43.090 --> 00:08:43.710 Bye. 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:48.450 I'm hungry, I sleep on the street. 00:08:48.780 --> 00:08:50.041 No, have a nice day. 00:08:51.522 --> 00:08:52.026 No? 00:08:53.416 --> 00:08:53.925 Bye. 00:08:55.990 --> 00:08:59.780 When she begs, she often faces rejection and disrespect. 00:09:01.856 --> 00:09:04.610 People say, leave, get lost and stuff like that. 00:09:04.716 --> 00:09:06.352 I keep quiet and move on. 00:09:06.390 --> 00:09:07.605 What else can I do? 00:09:12.160 --> 00:09:16.120 She finds herself daydreaming in front of a jeweler's shop window. 00:09:24.951 --> 00:09:27.561 I would give my girls a bracelet and a ring. 00:09:30.210 --> 00:09:32.479 Toys are easy to buy for the grandchildren, 00:09:32.479 --> 00:09:34.200 but gold for my own children? 00:09:35.850 --> 00:09:37.059 Too expensive. 00:09:52.030 --> 00:09:55.030 Tonight, we must have been asked for money six times. 00:09:55.319 --> 00:09:58.439 I can't give to everyone because I don't have that much myself. 00:10:01.554 --> 00:10:05.235 I give some, but by about the third time I stop giving. 00:10:06.040 --> 00:10:08.146 If someone needs help, we should help them. 00:10:09.750 --> 00:10:11.773 Sorry, can you spare some change? 00:10:13.550 --> 00:10:14.140 Damn. 00:10:15.270 --> 00:10:18.098 Claude says it's important for beggars to be considerate 00:10:18.098 --> 00:10:19.683 when they do their rounds at bars. 00:10:23.013 --> 00:10:25.290 Some don't go up to the counter and ask, 00:10:26.253 --> 00:10:28.033 or tell the staff they're there, 00:10:28.699 --> 00:10:31.380 they just go straight in and start begging. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:34.888 They're the ones who get the people in the bars really annoyed. 00:10:36.743 --> 00:10:38.274 OK, a nice evening! 00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:45.030 So that was definitely a lucky round. 00:10:45.686 --> 00:10:47.529 14 euros in the first bar. 00:10:48.034 --> 00:10:49.846 I'm now at 48 euros. 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:51.500 This is like the good old days. 00:10:57.283 --> 00:11:00.585 Even after all these years, Claude still finds asking 00:11:00.585 --> 00:11:01.934 for money very difficult. 00:11:02.280 --> 00:11:06.280 Alcohol helps him to loosen up and suppress his shame. 00:11:08.604 --> 00:11:11.863 When you're already struggling with yourself, and someone 00:11:11.863 --> 00:11:15.003 just feeds you a line, it brings you down so much. 00:11:16.950 --> 00:11:19.796 So, I have to drink, otherwise it doesn't work. 00:11:23.658 --> 00:11:26.629 I'm still a human being, even if I'm begging. 00:11:29.321 --> 00:11:32.482 The bit of dignity that I haven't taken away from myself, 00:11:33.101 --> 00:11:35.146 that at least should be left to me. 00:11:40.821 --> 00:11:45.350 That's why it's great when you meet people who show an interest in you 00:11:46.150 --> 00:11:47.370 as a person. 00:11:53.764 --> 00:11:55.054 It's nearly midnight. 00:11:58.494 --> 00:12:03.127 I'm going to take something, then I'll go down by the water 00:12:03.650 --> 00:12:06.706 and hope I can still see a few stars or something. 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:11.248 Cecilia and Claude's lives show just how urgently people 00:12:11.248 --> 00:12:12.748 on the streets need help. 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:15.520 Even in a wealthy country like Germany.