Oh Julie, it is really sad that some people have to live like that. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, along with missing Aly and Connor.

I've seen similar things in Dominican Republic. When you walk down a street, there are beggars everywhere and if you help them, they come running after you - with their entire family and all their friends. It's just impossible! John and I went to very poor areas and we did get to know a few families and helped them as much as we could. It's amazing they can smile and be happy in spite of their poor lives. However, it was ten times worse in Haiti. John went there - I couldn't cope. A group of us at the hotel packed some clothes, shoes, mirrors and pencils and paper for John to give them. What makes me angry, is that some people there are extremely rich, and they don't seem to give a hoot about the poor.

One day, we had to laugh, we were in the square in Puerto Plata, it was a busy time of day - an American couple had taken a taxi from their luxurious resort to town. As they got out, they immediately turned around a said "Please take me back to the hotel". They just couldn't handle it.

I think the only way to really solve these problems in the world, is to help build places up and teach them how to set up a business, and schools of course.

To give some of Cali's outgrown clothes, is a one way of helping, so please consider that.

Julie, I'm sending hugs and hope you'll feel better soon!