Small Things (to give to children)

rangers · Jul 24th, 2007, 19:31

Veteran Steven is correct in every sense to the topic.
miles of smiles

aadil · Jul 24th, 2007, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prits

I implore you - Please do not hand out anything directly to local children. This makes them feel that foreigners are an easy source of 'goodies' and the last thing India needs is more begging, more dependency.

Having got used to hand outs (pens, bottles, sweets) from foreigners, the kids in Rajasthan actually show signs of aggression if their 'demand' for a pen is turned down. I have seen this first hand.

I know its easy to want to give something directly to a poor kid and make them feel special, but you're only doing more harm than good. Please dontate to a children's charity or an orphanage; there are some very good ones in India. Clothes, money, food is always welcome.

This said, if someone's parents help you out in some way or you develope a relationship with a child, its okay to give them a gift (an australian souvenir or whatever). But randomly doling out goodies is really really bad for the child in the long run.

Exactly my point of view too, I never give to any of these children who ask for a pen or a candy and even when you sometimes take pictures of them on their asking you to do so they become very aggressive if you do not pay them in cash or kind and I had a very nasty experience in a small place like Badami in Karnataka where they started pelting stones on my Spanish friend who took their picture after being asked to take one by them. Only when I started shouting at them did they go away. My friend was really scared of these small children who were no more than just five to six years old. Just shows how much they are gaining by such gifts of pens and candies which come free from foreigners. What's the point if they start to throw stones at these very foreigners when they don't get their goodies?!!!

Cheers,
Aadil.

steven_ber · Jul 24th, 2007, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.aggarwal

Appreciate that Steve..Great work !!

A true gentleman's thought...

This way you helped in your own little way and I am sure this will have a lot more impact then giving Pen Or other things to poor kids..

Just to burst my bubble.....

I don't generally carry things around with me to give to schools, I'm much too selfish a person to do that.

The manager of the colliery was going to show me around a couple of houses, so I was just thinking of a way to say thanks, a bit of research showed that the colliery was more like a small town with their own medical centre, post office and school, so the school gifts seemed like a good idea.

If anyone is thinking of giving a gift to a school, a good English dictionary is a good idea; they're available in 2nd hand shops.

I spent an hour in a classroom in Gujarat and they were trying to teach the children English, but the only dictionary they had was part of a Hindi-English translation book (even though the local language is Gujarati).

Nick-H · Jul 24th, 2007, 19:58

Vandy has a good idea too... If you are going to an orphanage...

rangers · Jul 24th, 2007, 20:05

I usually like to ask my friends to bring small globes.
It is fun showing them world you come from and becomes the asset of the class or school.

Prits · Jul 26th, 2007, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsg

Totally agree with Prits. Its normally the middle class kids who go to private schools with a row of pens in their top pocket who BEG.

Hey, just curious to know where you encountered this - middle class kids going private schools who beg. First I've heard of such a thing and am really surprised that it happens.

Jul 24th, 2007, 19:58	#19
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Vandy has a good idea too... If you are going to an orphanage... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jul 24th, 2007, 19:31	#16
rangers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India Posts: 450	Veteran Steven is correct in every sense to the topic. miles of smiles

Jul 24th, 2007, 20:05	#20
rangers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India Posts: 450	I usually like to ask my friends to bring small globes. It is fun showing them world you come from and becomes the asset of the class or school.

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