The Perceived Need for Foreign Aid
There is a clear distinction between countries that are developed and those that are not. Many people believe that it is the developed countries’ duty to help the undeveloped one. While I agree with this statement, I disagree with how foreign aid is currently being given. After watching Poverty, Inc. I learned that a huge misconception around foreign aid is that the people in poverty are helpless and/or incapable. Popular songs like “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” are a testimony of the world’s ignorance. A statement from the film was, “African’s are not stupid, they are just disconnected from global trade.”
What That Aid is Really Doing
Foreign aid is commonly seen in the form of NGO’s (Non-governmental organizations). These organizations are crowding impoverished countries and destroying their economies from the inside-out. The local businesses are struggling to compete with the free resources provided by the NGO’s. One example of this is the local company, Enersa in Haiti. Enersa engineers and constructs solar-powered street lights for the rural communities in Haiti. The company has increased safety while also providing many people with jobs. In the film, Poverty Inc., the owner of Enersa explained how his company is struggling to compete with the NGO’s coming into Haiti to provide the exact same service. It is in situations like this that foreign aid is doing much more harm than good. When foreign aid becomes a way of life, then it forces developing countries to become “economic slaves” and remain in poverty.
Ways We Should be Helping
I want to be clear that not all foreign aid is bad. There is definitely a right and a wrong way to go about it. One way to effectively provide aid is to ensure job creation. An African man interviewed in the film explained that the locals need to be taught how to fish, rather than simply be given the fish. If we can focus on empowering the people in developing countries, they won’t need help anymore. A good example of this is Shelley Clay’s Artisan Jewelry. Shelley began to teach people how to make jewelry and sell it around the world. This business has expanded and brought great benefits to the poor communities. The sense of power and self-worth that Shelley has created for those people is priceless and will enable them to go even further.
In Conclusion…
Though foreign aid efforts begin with good intentions, they do not bring the results that many people expect them to. We need to end this idea of “western dumping.” Free resources are not the answer. If developed countries can begin to focus on ways to empower those in poverty, then we can begin to see a monumental shift begin to take place. I believe this is a lesson that can be applied at various scales, including right here within the United States.
"Poverty, Inc." , directed by Matheson M. Michael. , produced by Michael Matheson Miller, Acton Institute, and ColdWater Media Inc. , Ro*Co Films, 2014. Alexander Street, https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/poverty-inc.