In Reply to: What would you do? posted by Baldie on Friday, 30. March 2007 at 08:20 Bali Time:
I know just how you feel. We befriended a guy and his family in Bali several years ago, would catch up with him during our annual bali visits. Last year out of the blue we got a phone call asking if we could lent him $1,000 Aust. We explained we didnt have that sort of money and he was apologetic he had asked. About a week or two later he sms'd us and asked for money to feed his family, we sent over $100 Aust and yep sure enough a month or two later we received another request (and once again we sent $100). Earlier this year when he wife was having a baby we got another 3-4 urgent sms messages asking us to pay hospital bill. Against our better judgement we sent over $200 but I have now realised that we have probably made a big mistake because it appears this will be never ending. After I sent the last money I did explain that we could no longer do this as I was not working any longer due to illness. I must also say I am a little disappointed that since we sent the last amount of money we havent heard from him. I now have missed feelings about how to handle the relationship next time we visit Bali. I know these people do it tough and we do help by sponsoring children in Bali but I guess my point is how much support do you keep giving these people.