this came in from a fellow world traveler regarding my expereince with Gift in Malawi:

I have struggled with this throughout my travels.  It is quite an
interesting subject.  It is so hard to look at things from a different
perspective.  It has been explained to me, and this may not be the case
in Africa, but I would guess it is, that culturally it is expected that
if you are one that HAS, you will share, willingly and happily.  That
simple.  Those that have share, those that don't just ask for and get
what they need from those that have.  Completely different from our
culture.  It goes way back in time to early indigenous, native cultures
where everyone was one family, one village and they all took care of
each other as family.  Tough for us to comprehend coming from a world
where "mine" is one of the first words kids learn to say.

I like this...new perspective!

Jamie