Comments on: The Sustenance of Faith? http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/ the diary of wife, mother and failed domestic goddess in Africa Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:57:04 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: iota http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2168 iota Sun, 30 Dec 2007 04:10:23 +0000 http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2168 I worked in DfID (ODA then) in the early '90s. They were very dismissive of previous aid efforts, pointing out that a lot of individuals had been helped, but nothing had changed. So they were very into projects that delivered change on a macro rather than a micro level. This was the way forward, even if there were "negative social effects" in the short term (people losing jobs, going hungry etc). I initially said that it seemed to me that a project which made a huge difference to the lives of individuals must, surely, be worthwhile, even if it was unsustainable, and I asked whether there was any evidence that the macro projects worked any better in the long term . The answers I got gave me the impression that I was naive and ignorant. I wish I could go back now, with the added confidence of 15 years, and ask some of the same questions again. Alas. I worked in DfID (ODA then) in the early ’90s. They were very dismissive of previous aid efforts, pointing out that a lot of individuals had been helped, but nothing had changed. So they were very into projects that delivered change on a macro rather than a micro level. This was the way forward, even if there were “negative social effects” in the short term (people losing jobs, going hungry etc).

I initially said that it seemed to me that a project which made a huge difference to the lives of individuals must, surely, be worthwhile, even if it was unsustainable, and I asked whether there was any evidence that the macro projects worked any better in the long term . The answers I got gave me the impression that I was naive and ignorant. I wish I could go back now, with the added confidence of 15 years, and ask some of the same questions again. Alas.

]]> By: Kathleen http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2166 Kathleen Sat, 29 Dec 2007 23:22:00 +0000 http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2166 I was always taught to take a problem and break it down and handle each area on its own. I think at this point that is the only way to look at poverty. If you can help do it on a level that it will make a difference. Hope you and your family are having a good season, looking forward to '08. I was always taught to take a problem and break it down and handle each area on its own. I think at this point that is the only way to look at poverty. If you can help do it on a level that it will make a difference. Hope you and your family are having a good season, looking forward to ‘08.

]]> By: reluctantmemsahib http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2160 reluctantmemsahib Sat, 29 Dec 2007 08:37:58 +0000 http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2160 Thanks All. Mr Sherman; you are so right - I lay in bed the night after we met the sisters and almost came to the same conclusion: perhaps a little for a few is better than battling to achieve more for so many. For as you say, the forest of poverty would overwhelm. Good luck Jen! Look me up if you end up in my lonely part of the world! Thanks All.

Mr Sherman; you are so right – I lay in bed the night after we met the sisters and almost came to the same conclusion: perhaps a little for a few is better than battling to achieve more for so many. For as you say, the forest of poverty would overwhelm.

Good luck Jen! Look me up if you end up in my lonely part of the world!

]]> By: jen http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2158 jen Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:20:00 +0000 http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2158 exactly the sort of reasons i am trying so willfully to get an international post. failing, but trying. exactly the sort of reasons i am trying so willfully to get an international post. failing, but trying.

]]> By: Roberta http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2156 Roberta Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:41:28 +0000 http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2156 Because I couldn't find your Email address, I'll post here. I just love that young African/American at the end. He is so joyous! Click here: YouTube - Straight No Chaser - 12 Days Because I couldn’t find your Email address, I’ll post here.

I just love that young African/American at the end. He is so joyous!

Click here: YouTube – Straight No Chaser – 12 Days

]]> By: R. Sherman http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2146 R. Sherman Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:34:02 +0000 http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2146 Thanks for this post. Perhaps the Sisters refuse to see the entire forest of poverty in favor of concentrating on a tree or two, in hopes that making many small differences ultimately add up to something greater than the sum. Thanks for this post.

Perhaps the Sisters refuse to see the entire forest of poverty in favor of concentrating on a tree or two, in hopes that making many small differences ultimately add up to something greater than the sum.

]]> By: Roberta http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2144 Roberta Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:20:43 +0000 http://reluctantmemsahib.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/humbled/#comment-2144 You make me wish I could send them something.... You make me wish I could send them something….

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