Note: This is my last deep “orientation” post before I go to Uganda. Over the next month I’ll switch my focus to packing and travel tips, including product reviews.

As I mentioned last week, I had the privilege of hearing Steve Corbett (coauthor of When Helping Hurts) speak at the COSIM conference. Friends of mine know that I roll my eyes when I hear about give away programs to the poor or even sponsoring children (I know, I know, putting on my flame-retardant suit). These things aren’t bad, but sometimes I feel they miss the point. Can they hurt more than help?

When people who are not materially poor think of poverty, they tend to think of a lack of material things, like food, money, clean water, medicine, housing, etc. Yet people who are materially poor describe their condition in much deeper terms–such as shame, inferiority, powerlessness, humiliation, fear, depression, and isolation. Much deeper than just needing “things.” So what do you think people who are feeling inferior think when they are given material things by well-meaning North Americans? (Items they may not even want.)

I’ve tried several times to distill the contents of When Helpings Hurts into a blog post. I haven’t figured out a way yet. Perhaps the closest is this equation, which is included in the book:

Material definition of poverty + God-complexes of the materially non-poor + Feelings of inferiority of materially poor = Harm to both materially poor and non-poor.

That’s all fine and good, you may be thinking, but I want to help. They need help. So what’s the problem? Years of paternalistic handouts have resulted in . . . not moving people out of poverty. Yet it’s SO HARD not to help when confronted with desperate need. Even when we *know* our handouts may hurt more than help. It feels good in the moment.

Even in disaster situations, where handouts are appropriate (as opposed to handouts to people in general poverty), it’s important to look at the bigger picture. What do you think happens to farmers who make their living selling their crops when one part of the country has a famine and U.S. and Canada drop hundreds of pounds of food for free there? Do you think you’ll be able to sell your crops? Would it not be better if the relief people bought the food available from the farmers in the country?

In order to help visitors prepare for this feeling, and to understand the complexities of helping, my organization has developed this handout:

Face to Face with Poverty

Singling out the AIDS orphan

Bill’s participation on a trip to Africa was a tremendous eye-opener. He was appalled at the poverty he saw, andwas particularly struck when he met Gladys, an 11-year old AIDS orphan, who had no hope for staying in school. Upon his return Bill was determined to do something. He planned to set up a scholarship fund that would pay school expenses for AIDS orphans. Meanwhile Gladys’ uncle and aunt were struggling to meet the basic food and health needs of their children, as well as those of Gladys, and her siblings. Recently, the uncle had become sick, and income was difficult to come by. How might Bill’s scholarship program – as altruistic a gesture as it may be – affect the family? If children like Gladys receive a new school uniform, and their school fees are paid what might that mean for children who are not AIDS orphans, but cannot afford to go school any more than Gladys? Understanding the community ensures the best interests of the community inform the solution.

The keyboard that went astray

When Robert went to Latin America to help build houses, he was frustrated when they “failed” to accomplish as much as initially planned. His chance to do more for the people came when Rolando, a young man from the local church worship team, approached Robert and requested a new electric keyboard. Before he left, Robert agreed to send an electric piano back with the next group. Robert’s well-meaning intentions ran into several unanticipated snags. The instrument was taxed coming into the country. Rolando’s real talent, as it turned out was with guitar – not keyboard. Finally,unknown to anyone in his church, Rolando eventually sold the keyboard and spent the money elsewhere. Often the best way to help an individual is to help his or her community put an end to the cycle of poverty.

Drilling a well – for keeps

When Ken and Eunice visited a community in Africa, they repeatedly heard about the need for water. Back in North America, Ken, an engineer, took advantage of his professional connections, and soon raised enough money to drill a well. The group was eager for drilling to start, and felt impatient when things on the field seemed to progress slowly. They found it difficult to understand why so much time had to be spent in community meetings. They had not heard thespokesperson for the Ministry of Water in the region say that 90% of water projects in the area had failed because insufficient work had been done with the community to ensure proper management so the water was accessible fairly, and funds for maintenance were set aside. A project well grounded in a community development approach has the best chance of success.

In Conclusion:

• Do look for opportunities to interact with people living in poverty; learn about their strengths and struggles, hopes and disappointments,successes and challenges.
• Do remember that your greatest gift is yourself, not the material things you can bring.
• Do listen and learn.
• Do support quality community development programs by reputable organizations.
• Do respect and honor other people’s abilities to build on their own resources to solve their problems within their cultural context.
• Do not come with handouts.
• Do not assume the request of an individual is the priority need of the community.
• Do not jump to quick conclusions of need and solution.
• Do not assume you have better skills or more expertise than localcitizens.

Related posts:

1. 8 Weeks Until Uganda
2. The Power of With: 6 Weeks Until Uganda
3. Why Do Americans Act Like That? 7 Weeks Until Uganda

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