Beggar Children

Today a few of us decided to spread our wings and walk from our new location to the grocery store.  We maneuvered through traffic with surprising success and I was feeling fairly confident about my new found independence when a six year old boy spotted our group and came up to beg.  Now, I have experienced beggars, some are very persistent, but I have never experienced anything like this.  I tried to be firm and say no, but the child kept pulling on my arm.  All the while more children spotted us and came up to us.  After a few minutes we have a swarm of six or seven children putting their hands in our faces, pulling on us, and touching our feet.  People on the street saw what was happening and would tell the children to leave us alone, but to no avail.  They did not stop until we entered the grocery store and they couldn't follow us.  It was so overwhelming and I think we all were a bit shook up from the experience.  It is so difficult because there is not right thing to do in a situation like that.  My only hope is, that next time, I will know exactly where I am going and not be so overwhelmed.  I do not think that it will ever get easier for me to see children begging.  I thought my heart was going to break.  I wanted to give them all my money, but what would it really solve?