I'm involved in some volunteer work with an organization called Give Us Wings this holiday season, so I've been thinking a lot about what I learned as to why so many African aid programs aren't as successful as they could be:
"These efforts work when they're people-centered, not profit-centered," shared an African bishop with the founder of Give Us Wings.
Apparently many corporate donors, foundations and wealthy individuals merely prescribe solutions, throw money at quick-fixes, then move on to the next issue. This approach does help, but it often creates a community of people who become more dependent on the source of incoming cash vs. sustainable independence on themselves.
Remind you of anything else near & dear to our hearts – such as the best way to see FISH! flourish (invite people to learn about it, talk about it, own it and nurture its natural energy) vs. the quickest way to kill FISH! (mandate it based on lousy fourth-quarter earnings)?
In her book, Turning to One Another, Meg Wheatly dreams of the day when "people are seen as a blessing instead of the problem."
Just a few powerful ideas I'm reflecting on this holiday season – and how they relate to my family at home, at work and on the other side of the globe.
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