Poor kids in Mexico, begging in the street? What about in Puerto Vallarta?

Question

I've heard from various people who have visited Mexico that kids come up & ask for money or try selling stuff like gum. I'm wondering if they do that in Puerto Vallarta too. I'm going in a few weeks. I have hand me down clothes & toys that my kids & I could take to pass out. I think that would be more rewarding than to donate them here. This way, we can personally hand them out directly to those who need them the most!

Answer 1

Not give them any money to children, is better if u donate some to any Non Gov. organism like DIF, if u give money children do no study and they learn to get easy money not working and just stealing.

Answer 2

Yes there will be poor kids, but just as the other person said as soon as you give something out to one kid the rest of them will come like sharks to feed.  

If you want to give something to someone you don't have to look far you can ask some of the hotel staff, discretely - very discreetly if they know anyone who would benefit from items that you brought.  They don't gave paid much maybe a couple dollars a day and to get and keep a job is a job in itself so make sure their boss doesn't hear what your doing.  Then you don't have to do it on the streets and be overran by kids.

I think its a great idea and it will give you extra space in your luggage coming back fro items you bought while there.

Answer 3

I experienced a lot of this in Mazatlan and even Cabo, but not so much in P.V. There are charitable organizations that will take your donations, and that is a much better way to go.

Answer 4

I have found, that in the past, to give anything to one of those children causes a "feeding frenzie' of other kids surrounding you for "goodies."  The local government suggests that you give them nothing in order to not encourage such debilitating actions.  Have a fun and safe trip.  Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful place.

Answer 5

You will most definitely be approached by people of all ages trying to sell you something. The hand-me-down clothing and toys are a nice gesture for the children.However, don't be shocked if they'd rather have money.

Answer 6

why hand me down clothes & toys? if they wanted that, they could get that at the dump.

Answer 7

yes, they are all over mexico, wherever you go.  unlike the US, most of these people...all of them...are legitimate and really do need help.  however, the gov't and many others will warn you not to give money because what happens is that many parents keep these kids out of school, or up all night, to beg for money.  it perpetuates the problem.  but just as here you could voice the same arguement and there are several solutions.  so if you would like to take old clothes, then go ahead and do that.  

there is a central church in vallara, very easy to see, where you could drop these clothes off...that way you won't have the "frenzy" as someone else suggested.  or simply find a child who is not around other children, and give him/her the clothes.

Answer 8

Well yes, there are poor kids but, some people profits on that many kids "works" for someone else asking for money and looking poor, it's something that i hate ( im mexican), if you want to give clothes to kids, give those clothes to the DIF office( Desarrollo Integral de la Famila, something like Integral develop of the family institute) they are able to handle donations to poor kids and families and you won't take the risk giving that to someone who doesnt really need it.

Answer 9

there are alot here, but there are also many organizations that accept clothes and items for street children.

one that specializes in abused boys is in DIRE need of clothes and supplies, here is the website. i am currently working with them as a senior at an american school here.

the website is www.newlifemexico.com

these kids are excited to even get a new toothbrush for christmas.

there is also another organization for battered women and girls, and it is www.cruzadaaltruista.com

please dont give stuff out in the streets. that will seem like an insult. if anything, give a peso or two, but dont take the little trinkets they sell, because sometimes the beggars are associated with the mexican mafia to make money and only get to keep a small portion of what they make. if they receive pesos and still have their wares, then they can secretly keep the money for themselves.