"EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel agreed that 'the policy of charity hasn't worked' because it has come off as 'paternalistic' towards Africa."
-AllAfrica.com 5/28/08
(This is a startlingly large, and exceedingly clear, admission in the larger context of the past and ongoing charity 'industry.' The realities on the ground, the attitudes of dependency and expectancy that have evolved hand in hand with the growth of international charity, masking a deevolution of the purpose, and enigma. There is no question-this is an industry, and a very lucrative industry for the host country government as well as those lucky enough to be directly involved in the operations. But for the beneficiaries and the people on the periphery- I can not find a tremendous amount of positive, and certainly nothing "sustainable.")
Take up the White Man's burden--
The savage wars of peace--
Fill full the mouth of Famine
And bid the sickness cease;
And when your goal is nearest
The end for others sought,
Watch sloth and heathen Folly
Bring all your hopes to naught.
-Rudyard Kipling
