Travelers' Philanthropy: Dos and Don'ts of Travel Giving - Center for ...
Travelers' Philanthropy: Dos and Don'ts of Travel Giving - Center for ...
Travelers' Philanthropy: Dos and Don'ts of Travel Giving - Center for ...
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8When visitors ask:“Should I bring small gifts (pens, trinkets, c<strong>and</strong>y, or other items)to give to local children?”Experts respond:“Definitely not c<strong>and</strong>y – responsible <strong>for</strong> radical rise in tooth decay in communitiesaround Mara <strong>and</strong> Serengeti [in East Africa].”“My recommendation is not to. I’ve seen many communities where children startflocking around tourists because they can get c<strong>and</strong>y. Better to give somethingmeaningful to an institution.”“Well meaning gifts outside <strong>of</strong> a relationship result in loss <strong>of</strong> dignity to bothsides.”“In many cultures it is tradition to bring a gift as a gesture <strong>of</strong> gratitude <strong>for</strong>hospitality such as when you are a guest in someone's home. This may take the<strong>for</strong>m <strong>of</strong> a small useful household item, a souvenir <strong>of</strong> your country, or food suchas fresh fruit. But generally wewould advise against giving itemsdirectly to children, particularly if youare just engaging with them <strong>for</strong> ashort time.”“Indiscriminate giving by tourists canactually lead to children skippingschool or being encouraged by theirparents to take to the streets <strong>and</strong>beg. Do not give c<strong>and</strong>y or sweets asin many communities there isinadequate dental care <strong>and</strong>malnutrition.”Sign posted on an East African tourism truck,courtesy <strong>of</strong> Jane CrouchWhen visitors ask:“Should I give anything (money, food, etc.) to street beggars?”Experts respond:“This question is a tough one. We usually say to our visitors that its best to supportorganizations that work directly with beggars or street kids, or educational <strong>and</strong> capacity buildingprograms that assist people so they won’t end up on street.”“<strong>Giving</strong> gifts in an arbitrary way <strong>of</strong>ten turns the people in a destination into beggars, who seeWestern travelers only as people who give them things.”“<strong>Giving</strong> directly to an individual can give you an immediate feeling <strong>of</strong> pleasure or pride, butconsider whether you are really helping or purchasing gratitude. It can be difficult to refrainfrom giving to what appears to be really needy cases – such is our human nature. It is good toget local advice on what welfare services there are, particularly supporting people withdisabilities <strong>and</strong> the elderly. If begging is their only option <strong>for</strong> survival then you may chooseto give.”