Here are two examples of partnership that have been successful in the past. Instead of perpetuating a system of dependency based on charitable donations, those seeking to help the poor need a framework of partnership. One of the best ways we can have an impact on poverty is by looking past the physical poverty of a nation in order to see the unique giftedness of each one of God’s creations. is this:Īs soon as we tell a beautiful story about the African entrepreneur doing amazing work, then we will be able to shift mindsets. One of my favorite quotes from Poverty, Inc. We neglect to see and honor the image of God in them. When we refuse to change the status quo and continue in the old structure of development-one of paternalism and unbalanced power-we neglect to see the dignity and abilities of the poor. As God’s image-bearers, each individual carries with them unique talents and gifts God has given them to steward. God has created every person in his image. Two Forms of Partnership that Empower the Poor There are good intentions behind the organizations seeking to help the poor-but good intentions are not enough in the fight against poverty. This is just one example of the negative impact NGOs and charities can have worldwide.įree hand-outs harm local markets, and while they may be necessary for short-term disaster relief, they damage efforts toward long-term development. Well, why? Because NGOs came…and they started ‘giving the stuff away for free.’ And they actually crowd out local business. And the local solar panel company actually loses money. And after the earthquake, they sold I think five streetlights in six months…So, here’s basic economics, right? There’s an earthquake the demand goes high for solar panels because electricity is out. , they are selling about fifty street lights a month. director Michael Matheson describes how the film shows the effects of NGO donations on a local solar panel company called Enersa: While these NGOs had good intentions, in some circumstances the charity they provided hurt local communities. Prior to the earthquake, there were reportedly between 3,000 and 10,000 NGOs operating in Haiti and ready to take action to help rebuild the country, giving Haiti the nickname “The Republic of NGOs.” The documentary film, Poverty Inc., provides a case study on NGOs in Haiti in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. In order to change the harmful patterns of the past, we should instead look toward more practical steps for partnering with the poor in the future. While the intentions behind charity may be good, the West’s charity efforts are outdated and have harmful effects on the poor. We hope to provide relief to those afflicted by man-made or natural disasters. We desire to see communities lifted out of poverty. The desire and motivation behind providing charity come from a good place.
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