Monday, March 16, 2009

Another View of Begging

Children and even adults continue to beg. However, our trip leader has given us new insight into this. Indians have not always been beggers. Tourists have enabled them by giving them things trying to be helpful. You see a hungry child and you want to help. What is it to us to give someone a pen or a few rupees. The trip leader said he had at one time encouraged his clients to take the soaps and shampoos from the hotel rooms and give to the poor. Unfortunately, this help turned into an expectation. The people came to see tourists (white people) as people who would give them money and things. And some still do but our trip leader tells us not to give. I had a couple of kids today actually reach for my pen!! It is sad.

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