| Pages:
1
2
3 |
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
Whenever possible in the States, I usually give the street person a couple of burgers, fries and a coke........no money
|
|
|
redmesa
Senior Nomad
Posts: 580
Registered: 3-12-2008
Location: Van Isle and Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
|
|
You give what you can ... when you can. I do not think too much about it. If some one on the streets in any locale asks me for spare change ...if i
have it i give it. If I drive south I take something to offer to those in need. There have always been beggars and not giving will not make them go
away. What they do with the clothes or the money is their business. Yes, and even food can be bartered.
|
|
|
Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
|
|
One gives as one sees fit. I also give money and food to those in the U.S.A. off and on. I also tell them where they can get a chance to clean-up,
eat, and yes it involves the reading of the Lord's word. I have had some tell me they would go without before praying and I said ok your choice, but
if I gave them something I did not resent it when they told me this.
In Imperial County a number of our churches, clubs, even a motorcycle club I mess around with on short rides in Calexico raises money for the
children helped by the church and DIF in Mexicali with clothes, food, and yes gifts for X-Mas. I have given and bought these little kids food in
Mexico and have yet to have one not eat it all real fast and always get a smile, so I guess I was paid in the only way they could. I also understand
those that are mad at adults using these kids to get money, so be upset with the one controlling the game not the kids. "No Hurry, No Worry, Just
Fun" bajafun777
|
|
|
Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bajatastic
|
|
It can be tough sometimes to see beggars in Mexico and elsewhere...
I learned my lesson early on in my Mexico travels when I gave a little kid 2 pesos and later saw him in the video arcade the same day.
Now my rules are...
If missing a limb, injured, or elderly.. I will give some money depending on my mood and my current wealth. Usually 2 to 5 pesos and sometimes more.
Sometimes it's hard.. at the border I give none to anyone since I'd be broke just giving to people in wheelchairs, etc..
Everyone else.. sorry..
If you play me a song, I will give a few pesos. I once had a guy offer to sing me a song so he could buy a guitar to replace his that was stolen. I
gave him 50 pesos. Several years later.. I saw the same guy in the same town.. this time with a guitar.. and selling CD's of his music. I bought one
from him and when I told him about meeting him years earlier.. he remembered me and gave me some other free crafts, textiles, etc and thanked me for
helping him in the past....
I always take extra bread, tortillas, and fruit from my meals at restaurants and give them to the beggars sitting in front of the churches.. Elderly,
and women with children come first..
|
|
|
Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Postholedigger:
That is the reason for using Suitcases to take clothes to Mexico.
Shortly after we got started with "Warm Jackets for Cold Kids" the custom s people at the Border at TJ and Otay started stopping and taking clothes in
boxes and Bags.
I checked with officials and found that they would not bother if clothes where in Suitcases and the number was reasonable.{This last trip I had 12
Bags covered up with a sleeping bag} No Trouble anywhere, Military did not ever look in the back of the Truck. Just wanted to talk with me in
Spanish/English. Did not even have to get Sprayed at GN.
|
|
|
shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13050
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
|
|
This is a good tip for border crossing with gifts(not even at christmas, take your presents unwrapped)...NEVER tell them anything is a gift or
donation...it's all your stuff...the suitcase tip works perfectly AND you get to give away the suitcase too!
|
|
|
bajamigo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1218
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: hubimos llegado
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by fishingmako
What you are saying is true, but only for a few, I work with a Church in Ensernada doing missionary work and we go into the villages, in and around
PUNTA BANDA and other places close by, and these Indians work in the fields very hard for a few pesos daily, you don't see the places they live from
the road side, they are in, only a couple of miles, and never leave the Village, the men come and impreagnate them and leave, the Children that are 4
or 5 become the baby sitters, while the mothers go to work in the fields, most won't wear shoes because they don't feel comfortable with them on, now
these are the people to feel sorry for, their house is a pallet with card board attached, and dirt floors, believe me they have absolutely nothing, so
don't confuse yourself with all of them, all are basically in tijuana, Rosarito etc.
By the way these people speak absolutely NO SPANISH, they have there own language, and each village is different from one another, they don't even
know how old they are, they have no birth certificates and have not, and most will never see school, so some insight of the real Indians.
|
A grim picture, but I don't believe entirely accurate. Agua Viva Children's Home provides food and care to up to 150 children daily. Their mission is
necessitated by the absence of parents, who do spend long days in the fields, making between $12 and $13/day each.
Shoes are a major problem. Regular shoes won't last but a few days in the muck surrounding the Oaxacan homes in the hills between here and Maneadero.
If new shoes are donated, there's a good chance Dad will sell them for pulque money. The answer is JELLIES: easily cleaned and not very marketable. If
anyone on this board can score jellies for the kids, I'll get them to Agua Viva.
|
|
|
HCR
Junior Nomad
Posts: 47
Registered: 3-23-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
"It is not possible to help another without helping yourself also."
Don't know the source of that quote, but I do know that whenever I give to a beggar, I FEEL better.
Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.
|
|
|
lizard lips
Super Nomad
Posts: 1469
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: EARTH
Member Is Offline
|
|
I give $40.00 per month to Children International which helps with the education and health for a 11 year old girl close to San Pedro Sula Honduras
and have been supporting her this way since she was 5.
A few years ago I had work in San Pedro Sula and contacted Children Inter. and told them I was going to be there and wanted to meet her. They set up
the meeting and met with her and her mother and a representative from CI. It was great to meet with her and had the opportunity to see where my money
was going.
I did my research prior to giving any money to this organization and felt confident that it would go to the child instead of a large percentage going
to scammers.
If you have extra money to give and want to see where it goes please check out Auga Viva just south of Ensenada. Arlene and Jon who run this facility
help with the local poor individuals who work in the fields and cannot provide child care for their children. When I went there and saw what they do I
was very impressed with their support for these people. They told me the mother and father would go to work in the fields and leave the oldest child
to care for the others and sometimes the oldest child is only 5 years old!
Auga Viva gives 2 meals a day to about 100 people as well as provide a safe loving atmosphere for those kids who would be left at home alone with
nothing or very little to eat. They also are provided with a teacher which is paid by the Mexican Govt. Most of these kids are from Oaxaca.
I don't feel bad when I tell the beggers no because I give my support and money to people that I know where the money goes.
For those of you who want to give please support out golf tournament for Agua Viva which is now an annual event. The next tourney will be in June of
next year at the Baja Country Club. If you cannot give money please give your time and energy to this fund raiser.
|
|
|
bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
Member Is Offline
|
|
http://www.aguavivadc.com/
|
|
|
BajaNuts
Super Nomad
Posts: 1085
Registered: 5-11-2008
Location: eastern WA, the DRY side
Member Is Offline
Mood: no worry, no hurry....it's all good!
|
|
I am from a rural area and not used to the city street beggars. What is the story with the stop-light beggars in La Paz? Some seem to be "selling"
lollipops and others are collecting for the children of "something"?
This issue is not new...I remember visiting Ensenada as a young girl with my family about 30 years ago and there was a boy about 9 years old, who
followed up up to our car, asking "Money for a taco? Money for a taco?" and he was literally opening up our car door as my dad was backing out of the
parking space.
Those who know, please shed some light about the streetlight people. thanks-
|
|
|
Skip_Mac
Nomad
Posts: 102
Registered: 4-25-2008
Member Is Offline
|
|
I give all I feel right with, either side of the border. Sadly my Internet commenters choose to sent most of my coerced tax dollars to major corporate
executives who have gamed the system and ripped off the taxpayer. In contrast, I feel as though I have taken my power back when I CHOOSE to support
an Estados Unidos beggar or a Baja poor Solicitor with either an offer of food or cash. I do not feel as if the offering is "misused". That idea is
different across cultures. I choose where to offer or to give my money.
One thing is certain, I will never spend MY MONEY on anything to make some internet commenter feel better about their bias. I will be my own person
,and whatever some of you think of me I could care less. I moderated my opinion a great bit here.
|
|
|
Jack Swords
Super Nomad
Posts: 1095
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Nipomo, CA/La Paz, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Spending 6 months in La Paz, we have been associated with several groups that honestly provide for poorer folks. The Fundación Ayuda Niños La Paz
which is associated with the Club Cruceros has a subasta this November 30. Thousands of dollars are raised each year at the subasta which go to
breakfast and lunch programs in several colonias. They also provide educational scholarships for qualified kids in these poor colonias so that they
can attend higher education. The subasta always accepts donations of clothing, appliances, etc. A contact is Mary Shroyer at Marina de la Paz. We
have been out to the colonias helping at Christmas and other times and it is a very effective program. Stop by and volunteer and you will become
acquainted with other groups (like the Jaycees) who contribute so much too.
|
|
|
BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
|
|
We can all share our thoughts and opinions here without being judgmental - No need to feel defensive. This is something you should feel motivated to
do, not coerced into. Like many things in life, there is no perfect answer on this one...
|
|
|
MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
|
|
To Each Their Own !
This question comes up frequently and the bottom line is that everyone will continue to do whatever they have been. No minds are changed.
For my part, I have always made it a point to cross the border with a surplus of Dollar Bills to hand out for Chiklets or whatever. A pleasant
demeanor helps, too. The really nice guy at the gas station got three dollars Sunday for a so-so windshield wash. The problem with the regulars is
that, once you overpay, you feel obligated to from then on. Although I generally give something to everyone, the guys who get the most from me are
those missing limbs. I figure whatever else they may or may not have going on, being a cripple in Mexico has to be pretty bad.
When all is said and done, the 20-30 dollars or so I hand out to vendors and beggars during a monthly commute, accounts for a pittance of money spent.
One habit that I have revised is that I usually keep about Ten Dollars in ones folded over and wedged into the dash adjacent to an air vent. Stopping
at one Army checkpoint, the soldier gave me a dark look and questioned WHY the money was there. Thought it was a Bribe attempt, I guess. I still do
it, but I pull it out when we come to the checkpoints.
|
|
|
Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bajatastic
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaNuts
Those who know, please shed some light about the streetlight people. thanks- |
Mexicali has a ton of these. Most are just hard working vendors, others are beggars in need, and I suspect some just beg professionally.
In general, i don't accept fliers/buy/talk to any of these people because I believe it creates unnecessary hazard in/on the roadway. I am sure the
person working hard to feed themselves may have another opinion about its necessity.
Often they will hang candy on your side mirror and come back to collect the candy (or money if you take it) before the light turns green.
One guy in Mexicali I call the Ninja... He often wears a headband as he stands in the middle of traffic while he tosses fliers into open windows of
cars moving down the street... its actually pretty amazing to watch and I'm surprised the guy still has two arms left.
I have no problem with beggars and helping them out. I do so often. But like someone else said.. its really a personal thing and you need to judge
each person/situation separately.
|
|
|
dao45
Junior Nomad
Posts: 93
Registered: 5-21-2007
Member Is Offline
|
|
WOW! I had no idea Mexico was so poor.Could someone please help me and direct me to the prostitutes that are in such dire staights they need
money?Maybe I could develop a charity organization for them
|
|
|
CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by dao45
WOW! I had no idea Mexico was so poor.Could someone please help me and direct me to the prostitutes that are in such dire staights they need
money?Maybe I could develop a charity organization for them |
 
|
|
|
Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
|
|
Begging in Baja
Prostitution begat oldest profession, which begat oldest begging, which begat......and so it goes...
(Warning: photo depicting Baja fun)
[Edited on 10-22-2008 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by burnrope
I give a buck a limb when crossing the border. |
exactly! we just crossed monday and the ONLY person who gets my spare change is the person in a wheelchair and
obviously unable to get a real job. you can tell the scammers, usually. this time it was two guys each missing a leg on crutches trying to sell
chicklets. at least these guys were trying to earn a living, not just begging.
oh yeah, the guy(s) who are sweeping up the border line with the sign that says our tip is his only pay. that guy is at least trying!!!!
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
