Nobody believed that writing a book together could happen, but forty community leaders produced 27 stories about their work in development and empowerment in just 4 hours. Independent consultant Lucia Nass shares her story from Myanmar.

It still shocks me a little when a colleague will look at me and ask, “Now, what do you mean by ‘downward accountability’?”, as if I’ve uttered an oxymoron.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, I’m sharing a chapter from Ruth Stark’s book, How to Work in Someone Else’s Country, which she wrote for her daughter, Taryn, also an aid professional.

The estimated 595,000 aid workers around the world (ALNAP, 2010) are rarely called to examine the bureaucratic rigidities that govern their day-to-day work. By supporting each other to create more trust, equity and mutual accountability with those we serve in the developing world, system-wide reform becomes more possible.

When people ask me why this farm-girl-turned-aid-worker has devoted herself to placing community-driven development initiatives at the forefront of aid, here’s why.

“Let go and let God.” It’s a mantra of the self-help group, Alcoholics Anonymous. After attending three conferences related to international aid in the last week, I’m wondering if it’s time for us to adopt the same approach.

“Little did Rumbidzai know that her poem would become a piece of art that would serve to illuminate the journey the partner organizations were about to begin.” From “Narratives of Hope ‘It Starts Within Us’: Documenting Development Through Stories of Change”, published by Weaver Press.

What’s needed from aid workers, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs and do-gooders to put local champions at the forefront of aid? Jennifer Lentfer of how-matters.org shares her advice.

James Oonyu, the Founder and Director of Liregu Christian Grace Ministries, a faith-based community development organization based in Lira, Uganda, explains the capacity challenges his organization faces, as well as the very real challenges he faces in working with aid funders.

“He further opines that even if the community has other ideas to suggest about the building project, these would have no room since, in essence, the beggar has no choice. Patrick reminds John that they are not employees of the local community, but rather are working for the NGO.” Guest post by Andebo Pax Pascal in South Sudan.