In light of the the political violence in Kenya and Compassion's blog trip to Uganda, Liam Kinnon offers up some food for thought. It's about two weeks old, but it's not stale.
Should we let Africa sink? Is ignoring Africa the best thing the West can do?
2 comments:
The unfortunate thing is that most people do not understand the African culture. It is not the same instant gratification, hurried, constantly busy society in which we live. To understand why "Western" programs aren't effective, one has to look at the fact that Western values are being imposed on a society that has little or no concept or desire to adopt the western lifestyle. I loved the 2 weeks I spent in Zimbabwe, not only because of the friendships that I formed, but for the slower pace of life. Relationships are everything there. It's the same concept you see in the poorer parts of the US. Without your community, you are nothing, because you have nothing without them.
Yes African governments are corrupt, money doesn't get where it's supposed to, and programs don't always work. (Look around the world and see how many of those corrupt governments that the US put into power. Go see "Charlie Wilson's War" for a great history lesson.)
But look into the eyes of an AIDS orphan who has lost everything and is now living in a orphange, and tell him or her that because he lives in a country with a corrupt government, you will not help him. I don't know any human being that could do that. I know that I certainly couldn't.
"It is not the same instant gratification, hurried, constantly busy society in which we live." And that's why I love Africa! It's an escape from craziness and shallowness.
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