3. Steal soap from your hotel and give it to kids in developing countries as a present. Studies have shown that distributing soap to kids in poor countries saves lives. Travelers are always thinking up things to give to kids that ask for handouts (pencils, erasers, candies) but nothing beats the gift of clean hands. And don’t just collect 1 or 2 from your hotel bathroom. Hit the hallways while the cleaning staff are having a smoke and grab a couple handfuls from the service carts. When you’re saving lives, Go Big.
Interesting travel advice from an equally interesting website.
I don’t condone stealing (though on the odd occasion I have swiped an extra soap from the cleaner’s service cart) but giving soap to kids is great advice.
When I was in Cambodia recently I was wondering what you could give to the ubiquitous street kids wondering along the esplanade in Phnom Penh. Most asked for money, some even asked for sweets but it just didn’t feel right giving them something for free that would just increase their dependence on the good-will of tourists.
On the other hand I can totally see how giving them a bar of soap would make a big difference to their lives and well-being.
Next time I hit the streets in Cambodia I’m totally going to try this.
