"Gimme, Gimme, Gimme"
The Youth of Malawi
The Youth of Malawi
“Gimme, Gimme, Gimme”, a coined phrase among most of Malawi’s youth, has almost completely replaced cordial salutations. The, “Hello, how are you madams”, now replaced by demands. “Gimme pen, gimme biscuit, gimme bottle”. The sweet, innocent faces and wide mouthed smiles, tarnished with this expectation of "mzungu" (white people) handouts. But, I don’t blame the youth. I blame us, the mzungu’s. The only reason children ask for things, is because they’ve been given things before.
“Oh, you poor sweet child. You look hungry. Here’s a pack of biscuits.”
“Oh, you’re thirsty, have my coca-cola.”
“You need a pen for school?” Here, have my entire pack.”
“Oh, you’re thirsty, have my coca-cola.”
“You need a pen for school?” Here, have my entire pack.”
The more you give, the more people expect and the easier you give, the easier it is to expect. Coca-cola, candies and random key chains from your bag will not tick your tourist civic duty box. If you really want to help the children of Malawi (or any developing country for that matter), teach a trade, introduce sustainable agriculture and create jobs. Remember, the children of today will be the adults of tomorrow and if they live each day expecting a hand out from tourists, charities, or missionaries, they will never stand on their own two feet. I believe in the good of people and the good of charitable projects, but not in obligatory, “poor you”, handouts. If a child really looks hungry, give them a bunch of bananas. Something healthy, not cookies and candies. If a child truly looks thirsty, buy them water, not a sugary soda. But whatever you do, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT meet their youthful demands for luxuries to simply feel better about yourself. You’re regressing an entire population for your own sense of betterment. Think about long term sustainability not short term patches. If you truly want to help, volunteer your time, volunteer your services, but DO NOT volunteer your things. |