*rant alert*
Would you hand out sweets and toys to random local children in your own country? I totally do not support this kind of activity as it reinforces a really bad stereotype of foreigners. Having lived in bush country Africa, this kind of thing tends to happen on a daily basis and quite frankly it becomes annoying. The high level of expectation that foreigners will give you something is the driving force behind why you get flocked by small children in back-country villages. Unfortunately, I've figured out that kids are amped because they reckon they will get something, not because they are so happy to see me.
Spend your money in local businesses and keep the gifts for special occasions. That alone will buy you more than enough karma, more than a life time of purchasing fair trade coffee.
*rant over*
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