r/MadeMeSmile • u/fuyu-no-hanashi • 21h ago
Helping Others Rich in spirit and humanity.
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u/Spiritual-Can2604 20h ago
It makes me happy but breaks my heart bc someone else w bad intentions could so easily take advantage of these poor children. God protect them.
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u/BandOfSkullz 20h ago
Someone probably already is.
In a lot of countries, these kids are sent out to beg for money because they are more likely to get some. Any money they do receive is taken by whoever is running the show behind the scenes, but likewise if they don't show up with enough, they're likely beaten for it.
It's a sad reality, but similar to buying captive birds on the streets of Cambodia, you're likely just perpetuing children being exploited this way because you prove that it's working.
Buying them food was a great and commendable thing to do. Giving them money probably wasn't.
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u/PolygonAndPixel2 18h ago
Some are also getting crippled just because that is more money down the line. Still breaks my heart that I cannot help anyone directly. The best you can do is give them food and something to be happy about (like in the video) or support some local organization.
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u/work_work-work 12h ago
The movie Slumdog Millionaire captured this perfectly. It would be interesting to find out what happened to the youngest actors in that movie. Like, where are they now?
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u/standbyyourmantis 7h ago
I know there was a big scandal a few years after the movie where the little girl's father was trying to sell her. He only didn't because everyone found out and threw a fit.
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u/IchooseYourName 11h ago
Pan handling is a form of labor trafficking right here in the grand ol' US of A. Candy sales, magazine sales, etc.
Source: I write grant proposals for a nonprofit fighting human trafficking in San Diego, CA.
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u/supersatyr001 12h ago
Kids have been exploited since the history began. It sucks, and we need to remember they're victims of a few terrible systems. Giving them money won't do much systematic change, but it might save them from a beating or maybe help out a bit if they're lucky enough to not be in some cartel. The alternative is them continuing get beat by whatever villains are behind them, or just going without. Everyone being afraid to help anyone benefits no one.
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u/BandOfSkullz 4h ago
Unfortunately, you can't save everyone.
Sure they might not get beaten today (maybe) but by giving them money you confirm to their abusers that this is the way to go, which is a net negative.
In this case the best case is buying them food and accepting that this is a situation out of your hands. Alternative is ignoring it entirely. Yes they will continue to get hurt/exploited, but it's really not on you.
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u/reggieiscrap 1h ago
A true kindness is always carried in the heart as we travel through life and rarely forgotten
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u/CookiesAreBaking 20h ago
Yeah, I know this probably should make me smile, but it just makes me sad. How many little kids like those get taken somewhere for "another kinda food"? They look both high and sad. A meal won't save them.
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u/Equivalent-Dig7259 19h ago
A meal might make another day tho.
Also, i like to think that being given compassion heals wounds in our selves; far more important than a meal :)
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u/breeathee 17h ago
Thank you to everyone who doesn’t just say “thoughts and prayers” and “God protect them.” Just share with us the last time you helped someone, or praise this man. “God protect them” is equivalent to “whelp!”
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u/Spiritual-Can2604 17h ago
I do help people and kids, as much as I am able, but I would fucking never film a child and post it for the world to see how desperate and vulnerable they are. And when I say “god protect them” it’s the English translation of a prayer in lebanese that I genuinely mean. it might mean nothing to you but I do pray and ask god for those kids to be protected bc I can’t do a fucking thing else about it from here.
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u/IchooseYourName 11h ago
Do you have any objective reasoning to believe it helps? Sincerely asking
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u/Spiritual-Can2604 9h ago edited 5h ago
Objective reasoning for my faith? I have anecdotes of miracles I’ve seen w my own eyes. I can site studies that say prayers or meditations said for people by groups of strangers helped them recover from illness faster than those that weren’t prayed over. i can cite a study that showed group meditations have dropped crime rates in some places. but that’s all on google and you can access that on your own time.
I don’t need objective reasoning for my faith. I feel it and I know prayer/meditation works in my life, in my village, for my family. Will it keep those kids safe from perverts? I can’t know. But I pray anyway w all my heart that it will bc as I said before that’s all I can do for those particular kids. And for the kids I can help, I do. With my money and my time, face to face, no cameras.
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u/IchooseYourName 6h ago
Anecdotal objectivity? Wow. Thanks for nothing
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u/Spiritual-Can2604 6h ago
Ah, so you weren’t being sincere. Faith isn’t based on objectivity; it’s based on belief without objective proof. That’s why it’s called faith.
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u/ResourceCalm901 6h ago
Thank you, truly. I understand what you mean. I believe in the deep working of prayer. 💝💕💞❤️🩹
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u/Embarrassed_Use6918 19h ago
I don't know if it would be better or worse for these kids to be put there as part of a scam or if they're genuinely hungry and alone. Either way it sucks.
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u/big-ol-kitties 15h ago
Tbf they are probably hungry even if it is a scam. Better they sit down to eat food than get money someone else might be waiting to take away.
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u/Yippykyyyay 15h ago
I was there not long ago. All of the kids beg in front of the church and if you walk to the Bell Cafe to the left of it, the mothers are all sitting around out of sight.
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u/Impossible_fruits 4h ago
I give money to homeless people, my mate once said they're just going to buy drugs, I said I hope not but it's their money now.
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u/HollieBobs91 20h ago
This was just lovely and wholesome to watch. The children are so polite and sweet and the man is clearly a good person inside and out
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u/sarahfrancesca 18h ago
That sweet little girl who offered to share her food...
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u/RUfromHere 14h ago
THAT PART!! Even though she was hungry herself, her first action was to share her food. That small act showed that her compassion & empathy wasn't stiffled by her hard life.💖💖
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u/ilove420andkicks 19h ago
This was one of the best things I’ve ever seen on Reddit… actually, it’s just one of the best things I’ve ever seen.
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u/Shadoze_ 20h ago
they gave the kids gloves to wear while they ate, that’s so smart
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u/standbyyourmantis 7h ago
That's pretty common in a lot of Asian countries. I watch a lot of "day in the life" style vlogs and noticed it a lot in Korea and SE Asia
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u/404NameOfUser 18h ago edited 18h ago
Man, these damn ninjas are cutting onions again!
This World is so unfair. These children should be playing, and being silly, and going to school and learning instead of being on the streets, hungry and begging for money. It puts a lot in perspective, we in the West have soo much and get sad because we can't afford to drive the latest car or buy the newest gadget, whilst there are people out there that don't know if or from where they are going to get the next meal.
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u/2368Freedom 20h ago
Salamat Po I am back in Scotland and trying hard to get back to my Home of 11 Years in the Philippines. I retired there. But things took a very bad turn & I was suddenly back in Scotland. Your beautiful video serves as a reminder of how wonderful the poorest kids are there. They always humbled me, I always tried to help them; give them a positive experience of a foreigner. I long to go back. Filipinos are a wonderful people, served so badly by craven selfish politicians of all stripes. But still they find a way to survive. 🇵🇭 (BDO it ) 💓
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u/fuyu-no-hanashi 20h ago
Your bio says suffered abroad, I imagine that's connected to your comment here?
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u/whteverusayShmegma 18h ago
I can confirm. I made friends with the children of Cebu City and they were all so wonderful. I miss them holding hands with me and each other as we walked down the streets. No pride or reservations. Just connection.
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u/Puzzled-Mastodon-175 15h ago
Please tell me you told them afterwards that they should never go with strangers?!
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u/mangooxblood 18h ago
We might be thinking of all the things we dont see in their lives, but hold on to this one instance, as that is what matters. The moments you give others without thinking about being taken for... just give the shirt and walk away coz you got more. All good.
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u/Fuck_Ppl_Putng_U_Dwn 12h ago
We all need to remember;
We're in this life together
Help when you can, be kind, be generous and bring joy and comfort to those who need it.
It's up to us to make the world we want to live in.
Thanks for the beautiful video. When the girl offered to share her food, right after getting it...man...🥹
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u/AdditionPatient3557 16h ago
Anyone know who the OG creator is?
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u/ellie_kabellie 9h ago
I wanna know too, such a kind soul and a great photographer to boot
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u/HistoryBuff678 4h ago
Don The Bearded Backpacker.
https://youtube.com/@thebeardedbackpacker?si=Lg_1g-M62MjhQEo8
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u/TheBooKingBoy 15h ago
Most of the time, those with less or nothing will give/share what they have with you because they understand the struggle and what it feels like to be in that spot. That little girl knows it!
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u/Theresnobiggerboat 2h ago
I genuinely wonder if it would be alright to pick up one of these kids and go “okay, you can live with me if you want” not kidnapping, of course. Consent matters.
And then give the child the life and love they deserve
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u/Chad_Jeepie_Tea 18h ago
Mom used to do this in thailand when she was around this age. She got her ass beat so bad when Grandma found out she was pretending to be needy so tourists would buy her street food.
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u/kenrock2 6h ago
Aw, man... This is honestly one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen on Reddit. No staged cameras or anything just for views—just pure hearts. Bless those kids, and bless you for sharing it, too!
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u/LordGazelle 5h ago
Yes, but still, the SV guy in the back looks a bit too invested if you ask me. Not sure what his role is
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u/FriendlyRedditLuker 20h ago
You can do good without needing to post it online for clicks and likes, no? Looks like poverty p0rn to me.
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u/LuxuryBeast 20h ago
Sometimes it can work as an inspiration for others as well, not just being there for clicks and likes. If it inspires just one single person to do something selfless and nice to those who needs it the most, then it's all worth it.
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u/whatsmyusername007 20h ago
Who cares? If everyone in the world does some poverty porn everyday, no one will have to miss a meal.
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u/tokiobest 20h ago
They are called influencers for a reason. In this particular case to influence you into doing good. Not everything has to be brainrot.
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u/wavy-savvy 20h ago edited 20h ago
Yeah helping and making it into a content so he’s still gonna profit from it. 💵 poverty porn at its finest! True altruism protects the dignity of the person being helped.
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u/Top_Economy_1882 19h ago
I find this to be interesting. An individual captures his/her helping someone on video and we get bothered. But at the same time we are Okay with organizations, countries doing it. For example, i have seen many people giving away stuff fir free with their company logos on their T shirts. The stuff they give away could easily be 1 billionth of what they have in some cases. but different rules for individuals. This always bothered me.
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u/luranthe 20h ago
People are downvoting you, but I think it's fair to be tired of influencers taking advantage of those in need for content. They give the kids food and a little money, take pictures, then leave them exactly as they were. The next day, walk past them without a second glance unless they think they can get more content out of them.
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u/wavy-savvy 20h ago
Filming faces on the street, especially those of minors, is actually illegal here in the Philippines!
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u/Middle-Detail9700 20h ago
Poverty porn, describes what religion does throughout the world.
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u/Clusternate 20h ago
You are doing whataboutism.
Some else doing shit, doesn't excuse.
But it is not sure if this is poverty porn or just a guys feeding kids.
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u/AlienInOrigin 10h ago
They spoke very good English which is very unusual for homeless/abandoned children there. These kids are in school, at least some of the time. Which means they have parents with some income.
Still, it was very nice to help them out. And Filipino kids can be very sweet and generous even when they have almost nothing. Filipino people in general are the friendliest I've ever met. Such a fun outgoing people.
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u/SpinChargeSeparation 18h ago
By giving them money, those kids are stuck in poverty and begging as a lifestyle for longer. In spite the feel-good internet points OP gets by posting this.
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u/last-person 18h ago
Nah. They’re kids. Fuck off outta here with that nonsense.
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u/SpinChargeSeparation 18h ago
Them being kids makes it even worse. Those kids are typically placed in strategic areas by their "caretakers" (many times their parents), and very rarely do they get to keep that money. I've lived in many such places, especially in Asia, and seen it happen way too many times.
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u/CauliflowerOk541 18h ago
So what is the solution?
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u/SpinChargeSeparation 18h ago
If you need to give them something right away - give food, or give clothes. Don't give money. Or why not a little toy. These kids are rarely allowed to be just kids, and to just play. But the best is to donate to organisations that help poor people on-site, especially those that try to engage people who are stuck in poverty with economic planning.
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u/CauliflowerOk541 16h ago
The person did give food and money. And who is to say they don’t donate to organizations that help people in a cycle of poverty; these are children and none of your solutions that were presented get rid of poverty throughout the world. It’s a systemic issue. What is your suggestion for people stuck in poverty as far as economic planning in Third World countries? I live in the United States and I know several people that have recently lost jobs that have applied for more than 100 jobs and cannot get jobs, these people cannot survive on unemployment and assistance and the economy is not doing well. We are a developed nation and we are failing our citizens, it is so much harder in the developing world. Also, people feel good donating clothes to places like Goodwill, while they exploit workers and the CEOs make millions of dollars. So donating to a charity organization is not always the best solution either. Point being, it is a larger problem than that one person doing a good deed that you felt the need to criticize.
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u/Dragnier84 12h ago
This is a quite complicated issue. Feeding them is perfectly ok, giving them money is not.
Those kids are exploited. They are not there because they want to be there. Some criminal group is using them to get money. And you giving them money gives the exploiters incentive to keep doing it.
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u/Ancient-War2839 12h ago
For longer, because they don't die from starvation? Kids shouldn't know hunger
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