When the Problem Becomes the Solution; Poverty Inc Review
Sometimes helping hurts. We don’t want to face it, but most times, when we try to reach out to the “poor”, our actions result in more problems than solutions.
We create dependence, we destroy local businesses or we give solutions that are not as needed as we think they are.
But worst of all, we benefit our own selves. We think ourselves as better than “they”. We are richer, smarter, we know better…
Do we?
Our class projected Poverty Inc, the documentary about poverty, and the way we see it.
We have such a gap between “us” and “the poor” that we don’t realize that “they” are not what we think they are. The documentary aimed at restoring the image we have of what really causes poverty, what it is, what doesn’t work and what does.
Of course, we have great intentions. We really want to help, we want to see things change… The problem comes when we start feeling good about the idea of helping and giving, and we can’t let go, so we just keep giving, giving and giving.
That kills the possibility for the local entrepreneurs to take care of their community.
The other problem is when we start seeing the poor as mouths to feed, people to save. The way we see others shapes the way we treat them.
If we see them as the problem, we will treat them as a problem.
Are they?
The movie was rich in insight. It gave many stories of people from developing countries, examples of failed aid and ways to actually end poverty in the world.
What struck out to me was the immense gap between the aiding countries and the receiving countries. It feels like people who want to help immediately get into action, without taking the time to actually think about what developing countries really need and want.
It made me realize that we tend to act on feelings only. Whether we just want to ease the guilt of our wealth or if we really are horrified by the injustice and poverty of others, we immediately act upon our emotions.
Sometimes, we have other agendas motivating our aid than the development of countries. Money and power are often behind larger companies’ aid. While the documentary covers the issue and different solutions for it, I was taken by surprise in realizing that even people who have the purest hearts can destroy the development of nations.
Truth is, no nation has ever flourished on donations.
These people are NOT the problem. Actually, they are smart and talented enough to start their own businesses, if only they had access to the market.
They are not the problem. They are their own solutions. What can be done to help it to grant a better access to the trade market?
I now realize the importance of thinking before giving freely, to give with wisdom. It also made me realize that developing nations are not just mouths in need of a savior.
There is a way for developing countries to rise out of poverty. That will happen when they are heard, and when help is really meant to serving them (and not the giving nations).
It will happen when we realize that they are not a problem and that we are not the solution.
They have the solution.
If we could just listen.
