In Reply to: crying babies posted by joh on Monday, 5. May 2008 at 16:49 Bali Time:
It's difficult to know who is actually in need. I just rely on my instincts & mainly give to the elderly, the obviously infirm & those I feel are genuinely desperate.
There was scant overt begging in Bali when we lived there in 1983. The strong Balinese social system seemed to take care of those in need within the village banjar structure. But times have steadily changed. The exodus of younger Balinese from the villages to the tourist areas in search of money & a life easier than working in the rice fields is understandable.
But it doesn't always work out that way, especially for unskilled, poorly educated girls with no family connections. I am sure there are genuine young, unmarried mothers with babies who desperately need help for them & their babies to survive. They would be ashamed to return to their villages & probably ostracised if they did.
I give to whoever (whomsoever?) I feel needs help. And if I give to someone who is scamming then that's OK as I know at least some of the people I give the odd Rp5K to are in real need.