What is it that you don't believe? I have direct experience (at either end) of all the elements of the story - people in poor situations refusing money because of their pride or principles, people in bad situations helping for no reason at all... There isn't a single element in the OP that I could say "I've never heard of such a thing!". The family's behaviour is perfectly consistent of what I know of certain cultures.

I am sorry you have reason to be so cynical. I can't vouch as to whether the OP is true, but I can assure you that real life can and does "play out like that".