Why Should I Care For Those Around Me?

It was late at night as my taxi made its way from the airport in San Jose, Costa Rica to the small hotel where I was staying.  I was hungry, and after I checked in I made my way to a nearby restaurant.  As I walked the short distance, I noticed that the streets were filled with youth, say, from ages 7 to 13 or 14.  They were dirty and poorly dressed, and they seemed to be milling around with nowhere to go.  Naturally, I was a bit uncomfortable.