I'll be the first to admit, when I hear about some of the health and economic problems in developing countries - I want to jump on a plane and just "do something" to help. And there is nothing wrong with that desire - it's a good thing to feel burdened for those who are suffering. However, are good intentions always enough?
I highly recommend reading this article -especially if you are considering doing the same (jumping on a plane to "do something"). It's a response to an article by Nick Kristof of the NY Times (who I actually really admire for the coverage he's given to humanitarian issues around the world. Noone else has done as much as he has to bring these issues to light.) However, the response article makes a good point - the "do-it-yourself" approach to these issues that Kristof highlights is not always the best response. Here's the Kristof article if you haven't read it: Please note - I'm not saying it's bad to try to help without any experience - but you do need to be careful and perhaps look for ways to empower the work a local community is already doing instead of imposing on them.
Here's a great example of "doing something" without imposing: The individual who I highly admire from Kristof's article, Lisa Shannon, I met when I worked on Congo issues in DC several years ago. She has made it her life's work to raise awareness, fundraise, and advocate for women in the D.R. Congo. She has not tried to "create" any organization that starts projects or "do-it herself". Instead, she uses her strengths to support an existing organization, Women for Women International, that works at the community level in the D.R. Congo. This is a great example of how any person can make a huge difference by working to support what is already going on.
When I was graduating from college, I really wanted to join the Peace Corps. I wanted to DO SOMETHING to help a community in a developing country. But I also realized I knew nothing about international development - so what could I possibly have to offer as a naive, 21-yr old American whose only trip outside the country had ever been to Europe. So instead I chose to go to graduate school to study International Economic Development first. To learn the tools of how to understand other cultures, how to work with communities at a grassroots level, how to include beneficiaries in the planning process to learn what THEY want for their community, and how to not impose my ideas of "good development" on a community. I am so grateful that I made this decision - because when I finally had an opportunity to work with a local organization in India, I was much more prepared. My eyes were opened that my good intentions are not enough - although they ARE my daily motivation!
