In Reply to: the better way posted by Thorsten on Tuesday, 27. February 2007 at 22:22 Bali Time:
You have raised some of the same concerns I have about sponsors visiting schools or even villages in Bali (or anywhere else for that matter). In this kind of situation the giver/sponsor is in a privileged position, and whilst the kids certainly enjoy the attention, perhaps the school feels obliged to entertain the sponsor in order to continue receiving the much needed assistance.
It also raises the question of why it is we give and what we expect in return. Giving with an expectation of getting something in return defeats the purpose of giving for me. Are we giving because we have a genuine desire to see changes happen for those we are helping or are we doing it because we want to be seen as a kind altruistic kind of person? For the most part trips to schools to distribute books and lollies appear to meet the second reason (to be seen as "good") and the kids would benefit just as much if the items were given discreetly without the fanfare.
I also wonder how the kids in the school who are without sponsors must feel to see all the attention given to their more "fortunate" classmates.
Thanks Thorsten for a thoughtful and thought provoking post.
Michele