Think Twice Before Giving Handouts, Especially To Children
Alternatives to handing out money can be found at this website http://www.women-on-the-road.com/street-beggars.html
Our plea we make for other people coming to any poverty stricken part of Africa or any country for that matter. Please do not come here as many people do and give money or items out to begging children or adults. This only encourages a lifestyle of begging. Some parents here actually keep their children from attending school because they can send them out to beg and make them money. You have to think of the consequences of doing this. It is not helping anyone in the long term.
We have also seen many tourists handing out candy to the children. In some areas I would hate to guess how much candy the children get in a day. We have been to some places where they speak no English, but they can say the words, sweets, sweets! They have no dental care here, we have seen many rotten teeth.
We too wanted to bring many things with us when we decided that we would travel to Africa. We were told not to for these very reasons. If you really want to help then donate to a reputable (key word reputable) charity or organization. There are plenty of them. Or you can donate your time at many organizations as well. You can also sponsor a child. There is always question of this back home. Do they really get the money. We have had first hand experience with travelers who have sponsored children and have come to meet them. They really do get clothing for school, books, and many other items for day to day living.
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