Donating while travelling - money vs things

Just saw this article on the BBC News website about giving money to kids that beg. Always a really tough decision when the kids are cute and so obviously incomparably poorer than you are, but I agree with the author that donating money, sweets etc to these kids encourages a culture of begging that will never benefit the children. In Africa I was constantly bombarded with demands for money, a present, a pen etc but tried to stay strong and say no. Getting your camera out, taking their photos and showing them to them, playing games etc all seemed to distract them fairly quickly from the demands.

In contrast I also came across a website called Stuff Your Rucksack which allows you to search for charities in the locations your are travelling to and see what they most need, be it stationary, books, games, clothes etc, and then bring them as a donation. Sounds to me like a better way of linking donors with charities and ensuring they directly get what they actually need. Has anyone used this website or heard anything about it? Reply to this

I would rather prefer to take a bag of books and toys for orphanages.... Reply to this

In response to: Msg #151632

Littlewing you've just brought back such fond memories to me - I take bubbles with me every time I go travelling too! Almost everyone breaks into a smile - I was in Timbuktu for Christmas 5 years ago and thought I'd bring a smile to myself and the kids on the street outside my hotel with some bubbles. Blew the first wand full of bubbles around these kids and they all screamed and ran away...I thought the parents would be over and I was going to be run out of town for trying to attack their children!!! But 20 seconds later they were back and the second attempt raised giggles and after that they were clambering over me to have a go blowing bubbles themselves! They are such a good icebreaker!

I think donating sacks of rice and other foods etc direct to organisations is also a good idea, with a much smaller risk of corruption than giving money. Also these are things you can buy from the local community, supporting more livlihoods.
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I used to give money and food to children when I was in Thailand, Vietnam and Mexico, but 5 years ago, I came across a few articles and heard many stories from locals that there are gangsters out there who would kidnape children and make beg for money or steal. So, eversince that, each time I see children beg, I ask if they need food, then I buy them food to eat there, and also I bring with me a few items like toothbrush, soaps, pens or pencils and give them as gifts instead of money.

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I will exchange money for goods like craft etc... but giving them money directly, that will surely encourage them more. Reply to this

These children pull at our heart strings. On occasion we gave a bit of money but realized quickly that was the wrong thing to do. We have given them a sandwich or two.

I really like the ideas of taking toys and bubbles.

We've taken t-shirts and trinkets to give as gifts along the way.
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In Cambodia in exchange for bracelets as I guess there is a little incentive for them there, but then some of those little ones can be quite persistant, but can't recall ever giving a direct hand out. I've been to places where children have obviously been given direct hand outs of cash by tourists so can be a little bit difficult to deal with as they don't really have any social boundaries, been lashed out at before for not giving over cash to children beggers. So that would perhaps be a sole reason for me personally not to give directly to child beggars. I'm more inclined to give to those with physical disabilities. Reply to this

If you want to help poor people, giving them food or any other kind is better than giving them money.

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