In Reply to: I think I am really Shallow! posted by trayden on Sunday, 1. February 2009 at 09:31 Bali Time:
no,you are not shallow. i'm glad you brought the self gratification issue up though.
we sponsor a child to go to school in bali and this is the 2nd child we have assisted and i feel very uncomfortabls when we go there to give books and supplies for the school.
all children from the school are generally waiting at the front and swamp you as you approach. we may just give them direct to rotary from now on.
i have never been invited to go to the childs house etc. and wouldn't go either .
I feel that people must arrange this themselves with the rotary club or ask to go.
i don't see the point other than making them feel good themselves and to be able to talk about it later.
The childrens families we have sponsored also seem a bit embaressed even for school assistance and we never take a large present that would make the parents feel inadequate. (bikes etc.)
We give practical gifts like school bags from australia (not cheapie bali ones) . p.s give the stupid chuppa chups a rest too!!!
everybody is different however and if a child gets through school and somebody is self satisfied with attention from it,well so be it,but not my cup of tea.