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Aug. 19, 2005 So far I’ve spent a total of seven months here in Asunción, Paraguay. I spent three last year; this year I’ve been here four, and I have two months to go. I live at the Hotel Plaza on Avenida Eligio Ayala, within 6 or 8 blocks of the very center of town. Opposite my hotel, there’s a park of 4 square blocks called Plaza Uruguaya. It’s just about the size of Washington Square in Greenwich Village, in New York City. Just south of Plaza Uruguaya there’s a small, dimly-lit supermarket called El País, where I usually shop. There’s a much more modern, impressive supermarket, just like Ralph’s in California or Publix in Florida, a couple of miles away, but it’s not worth the trouble to take the bus over. Anyway, out in front of El País, often there are children begging. There are boys and girls both, and their ages range from 2 to 10 or more. I like to hand out one or two 1000-guaraní notes, 17 to 35 US cents, with which you can buy a lot more in Paraguay than in the US. For example, you can buy about 7 dinner rolls or a bag of popcorn for 17 cents. But once the children see that you are willing to give a little, their numbers start increasing. Sometimes I find myself giving to 5, 6 or 8 little waifs all at once. So, I have to be selective. Naturally, I prefer giving to tiny little girls rather than older boys, though, of course, I realize they need it too. I have as special friends three little sisters, named Elisa, Lorena and Yoana, 6, 5 and 2, whom I see almost every day. I always give them 2000 guaraníes apiece. Yoana, the little one is so adorable! I could pick her up and hug her she’s so cute! But I just pat her on the head. Their mother is around somewhere. I think I’ve seen her a few times. Of course, I understand that she may be putting them up to begging. Nonetheless, I like to give. I don’t know how a single woman with 3 children can manage in a place like Paraguay otherwise. I doubt that there are any social benefits of any consequence. One day I bought them 3 little stuffed animals. A couple of days later, they told me they had lost two of them. I suspected that perhaps they were trying to trick me, but I bought them a couple more anyway. Then about a week ago I bought them a children’s volleyball and some little dolls. They’re always hanging around Plaza Uruguaya, so when I walk through or along the park, I can hear my name, “Tomás, Tomás!” And they come running. There’s another girl whose name I don’t know, about 2, who comes all the time too. She’s really so sweet and innocent, I can’t resist. Her poor mother, who looks Guaraní Indian, is always walking around with a tray of cookies for sale. The whole tray is not worth more than $2. Poor thing! I don’t know if she’s married or not. I usually give them 5000 guaraníes or more. There are several other children that I give to too. I wish I could offer real help, but at my age, I can’t be sure how long I will live. I’d hate to arrange to help some needy lady and her children regularly, and then fall ill and die. I'm not trying to sound gloomy, just realistic. It’s a real tragedy. These poor little children will never have a chance in life. What hurts is to see other children in the same age group with parents that are able to provide for them. These children are nicely attired, with little hats and stockings, well-kept and just a little aloof. You don't pat them on the head, and if you smile and wave, they may or may not respond. Still it’s good to see them cared for. ------------ About the author Thomas Keyes: I have written two books: A SOJOURN IN ASIA (non-fiction) and A TALE OF UNG (fiction), neither published so far. I have studied languages for years and traveled extensively on five continents. Email: udikeyes@yahoo.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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