Myanmar refugees forced to make a living by seeking alms

KLANG: They were babies in the arms of their mothers begging in the streets here. Now 40 years on they are on the very same streets themselves plying the trade.

And it looks like this “generational handover” of the trade will continue, as they themselves have their own children either in their arms or running around nearby begging from pedestrians.

A girl in scarf with another on the far left approach commuters for money.

Some of the women reportedly get pregnant often, as beggars carrying babies are usually more successful in getting the sympathy of passers-by.

The beggars are from a community of Myanmar refugees who first came here in the 1970s.

Social workers have said three generations are now living here, all of whom have had to resort to begging to make a living.