I believe that our role as “outsiders,” whether we are working for a multilateral donor in Nairobi or having wanderlust dreams during our unfulfilling job in Ohio, must be about getting community leaders the resources that they need to address their own priorities.[...]
Archive for July, 2010
July 28th, 2010 - 2:34 pm § in Guest Bloggers, Reflection & Rumination
A Heartbreaker
Yes, the paradigm of development can break our hearts. But everyday, we have a choice. Will we slump into the system? Or will we challenge the parts of it that prevent us from feeling and exhibiting compassion?[...]
July 22nd, 2010 - 11:17 pm § in Guest Bloggers, Reflection & Rumination
PBS Documentary Shines a Light
Good Fortune is a documentary airing currently on PBS. It is a provocative exploration of how massive international efforts to alleviate poverty in Africa may be undermining the very communities they aim to benefit.[...]
July 15th, 2010 - 6:03 am § in Good Practice
What is our true job?
Who will revolutionize the development industry? It’s those with a professional, but more importantly, a personal resolve to nurture alternative models of “development” that genuinely build on the dignity, knowledge, skills, culture, and abilities of local people.[...]
July 10th, 2010 - 4:12 pm § in Good Practice
Isn’t it time for a morale boost?
One largely overlooked cause of low levels of staff and volunteer motivation is the internal dynamics of organizations. Development organizations can be more effective if their members pay attention to what can go wrong inside a group and take steps to keep people engaged and committed.[...]
July 9th, 2010 - 4:11 pm § in Reflection & Rumination
The Conundrum of Counting Beneficiaries
The bottom line question for many people working internationally is seemingly simple—How many people were reached? This question often becomes a huge drain on financial and human resources, especially for under-resourced local organizations.[...]
