Candies for Kids and child beggars

I have noted some people on the TA review pages suggesting is a good idea to give candies and sweets to kids .

I believe that responsible tourists should consider that giving sweets to kids in a third world country where there is little dental hygiene and poor health care is both unwise and irresponsible. I do not want to see children with serious tooth decay and caused by well meaning but thoughtless tourists. This applies equally that giving money to beggars is also unwise at it just encourages a culture of begging.

As one who has wide experience of travel in areas of Cambodia away from the tourist hot spots; it is notable how little begging goes on in rural areas. The only begging I see is Monks collecting alms who get donations from Khmers.

Siem Reap children have been corrupted by the actions of tourists who think that by giving to child beggars make them feel good. It is far better to give to responsible organisations that know local needs and can direct funds where it is most needed.

Candies for Kids and child beggars

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I%26#39;ll add (not that I%26#39;ve been to Cambodia yet, mind you, but fwiw...) that another concern I%26#39;ve read about engaging in these sorts of interactions inadvertantly plays into sexual exploitation b/c it creates a false sense of trust and genuineness which the child may then feel safe act in a trusting way toward a person who would not be safe to trust.

I%26#39;m interested in hearing what ideas do people have in talking about this with your own children. I%26#39;m sure that mine (11 and 13) will be as shocked by the fact that we shouldn%26#39;t give money, etc. to the begging children, as the fact that they are begging in the first place.

I there anything you think would be ok to give? Stickers perhaps? pencils? Dunno, can%26#39;t be more creative at the moment.

We do plan to participate in activities sponsored by NGOs, eat at these places, etc. to focus that the money we spend is going toward a ';good cause.';

What are other people%26#39;s experiences and ideas?

Thank you!

Candies for Kids and child beggars

Give nothing to children apart from your smile and well wishes and your love.

But take plenty of stickers, pens, pencils, books clothes,or money etc.And find one of the many NGO%26#39;s orphanages, or schools and give your gifts to them to give to the children.

Or take money and buy in the community, then give this to the schools, NGOs.

Giving to kids does encourage the begging culture.And in some places, kids have grown up to see tourists to have plenty.And if you don%26#39;t give, they can be very demanding.Threatening even.

Yes: do not give sweets to children, especially those with no dental care!

What to give them? You can give knowledge to begging children instead of money that will simply be taken by their pimp boss (sometimes the parent).

It%26#39;s easy to give the gift of knowledge and it immediately distracts the children from their begging: children are fascinated if you take a few moments to smile and teach them a game such as tic tac toe drawn in the dirt with a stick, or how to skip a stone on water, or a slight of hand trick with a coin or small object, or shadow puppets with your hands and the shadow they cast. They also really love to learn a foreign word or two, such as counting numbers or naming countries and their capitals, and many children make a point of learning one new word a day - so travelers please put on your thinking caps and a little effort into giving to your host country%26#39;s residents.

Happy travels!

p.s. A caution about giving school supplies: I have personally seen (2009) scams in Cambodia where unfortunately sometimes school supplies given to the adults in charge are resold for money rather than given to the children to use in school.

do a bit of research - theres many good organisations doing good work. My hotel in seim reap was supporting a local charity so I left a cash donation.

another time I gave money to a blind begger on the beach after seeing him led around by kids all day - turns out hes quite well off , despite his disability, and the kids parents are paid to rent the kids each day - the kids therefore dont go to school as they should be.

its hard- I thought Id seen poverty and begging but it was unbelievable in PP and parts of cambodia

I met a guy in Vietnam who took 3 juggling pins with him on his travels.His gift to the children and the villagers was his juggling act and showmanship.

A great idea.

Thanks, PeaceofAngkor, for posting that.

Handing out stuff only encourages begging, whether it be to children or adults.

Hi

We have to agree

Having just spent 10 days in Siem Reap with our 4 children aged 3,5,7 and 9

The best thing you can give them is your time and attention

We met the same 15 or more each day and after the first day they never asked for any money or tried to sell us anything , they just wanted to play with the kids and talk, and they played and talked for ages each day

Give them your time

there is more about our adventures on

www.mytb.org/6-go-mad-in-asia

Good for you, Tassymitch! Way to go! :-D

This is one of the best and well thought of posts I%26#39;ve read.

Arrived from a wonderful and inspiring trip from Siem Reap a week ago. And yes, I%26#39;ve read somewhere of a suggestion to bring candies and sweets to kids. I felt the same way and believe that its unwise and encourages begging.

Instead we made it a point to visit an orphanage before leaving for home. We%26#39;ve searched through the internet, and checked with our hotel, and with just one full morning we were able to visit two places and shared in our own little way. Twas a perfect ending for our memorable 4 day Siem Reap trip.