Comments on: Should I Give Money To Beggars Whilst Travelling?

By: Alice Teacake

Alice Teacake — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 14:30:42 +0000

In reply to Bonnie. I have just finished an empowerment tourism trip with Hands on Journeys in India and I really do feel that I've found an answer to this. People who want to make a change definitely do need help getting back on their feet. You can't teach a man to fish if he's starving. Give them the tools...then they can empower themselves to make long-lasting, life-changing decisions. I highly recommend checking out Hands on Journeys for the amazing work they are doing <3

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 02:19:51 +0000

Good question. One I’ve struggled with myself (so sorry for the long reply). It is hard to see someone in need and just turn a blind eye. In China I was especially heartbroken over the children begging, however, my local Chinees friend pointed out their handler, the one who actually gets all the money and forces the children to beg. Often they need much more than money. They need help getting back on their feet (if possible). I do believe that those of us blessed with more than food on our table should give to charity. I try to research and make sure that the charities I give to actually spend most of the money on helping the people who need it. I don’t have endless funds so I want to make sure every cent counts.

By: Bhawna

Bhawna — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 04:30:16 +0000

This is the weaker side of India, that even kids are forced to beg for money even at that when they themselves dont know the meaning of currency . Here some people caught kids from remote areas and force them to beg on the street and if kid object , those people cut down his/her body part.

Yes. I agree if those kids won’t be able to collect that much money as they were instructed then they have to pay for it in what manner you never know.

But on the other hand, when they saw a foreigner they always demanded more.

As an Indian, I always prefer to give less money and give more food and clothes. Because I know those kids hardly get good food and clothes.

By: Alice teacake

Alice teacake — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 12:47:46 +0000

In reply to Lucas Rodrigues. I agree. We really need to address the problem from the bottom up. Will we ever get there? I would love to think so but change starts with us and our actions are just as important as the big guys!

By: Lucas Rodrigues

Lucas Rodrigues — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 02:31:34 +0000

This was a really interesting post. Money is just a means to an end, so might aswell give them what they really need instead of money.

By: Alice teacake

Alice teacake — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 05:39:42 +0000

In reply to David. I wholeheartedly agree with you David. The kids should be in school and as long as we keep giving the money, the parents are going to be more motivated to keep them where they are.

By: David

David — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:21:29 +0000

We never, never,never give anything to kids. If you do as a traveler their mom and dad will just keep them begging instead of pulling them off the street to go to school. We were at one place in Cambodia where they had signs up saying the kids are sent over here to take your money. They have a home and they should be in school. It was great to see.

By: Zita

Zita — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 12:52:54 +0000

Definitely agree! As heartbreaking as it is, it’s doing more harm than good!

By: aliceteacake

aliceteacake — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 11:00:26 +0000

In reply to USAtraveler. Thank you! I always try my best to be up front and honest, glad you enjoyed the post!

By: USAtraveler

USAtraveler — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 10:38:01 +0000

Spot on Miss Cake. While nobody is saying become a heartless A-hole, don’t contribute to the beggar culture by robbing them of their ability to do something more productive with their time, hands, and minds. Great post spoken with honesty!

Oh, how I do wish these problems were easier to solve….