err .. hmm...
ok this view might be disagreeable to some people but.. I feel that
when we visit third world countries, we should not hand out goodies
to the kids. especiall sweets who give children in villagers
decaying teeth because they dont have much access to dentistry or
oral care.
why?
it really teaches them that 'tourists' are people who gives things
and teaches them to 'beg' from tourists whenever they come. I am
sure we have all been to villages, where children follow you for a
long long time, asking for food, drinks, pencils, pen, sweet,
money. If you dont have toys, they ask for sweets, if you dont have
sweets, they ask for money. Somewhere down the road, someone will
give something, if you ask long enough or hard enough.
what happens next? the cute kids of today grow up to be the tourist
touts of tommorrow. do you still give to them? when they are no
longer cute? they are still 'poor' you know.
want to give stationery? give it to the school directly. Usually
the teachers will know which children need it more.
giving out little gifts directly to children make you feel good
momentarily, and makes them happy very temporarily. but if you
really want to do a good deed for them, then consider less easy
options that can really improve the villagers lives' better in the
long run
