Questions
Three weeks ago I held a fat and chubby one month old baby in my arms………she was beautiful,the baby seemed quiet and content, the mother said she was sick with asthma. We all prayed for her and told her to go for her checkup as she had not as yet…the baby was born at home in the slums with no qualified midwife, no proper medical care and no after baby care…..
The NEXT day this sweet baby was dead
Words are not sufficient,
The tide of helplessness is shocking, what really am I doing to bring change to this community…..is it lasting?
Not that I am despairing NO not all
BUT you have to evaluate and examine what you do and if it really matters!!
Long term change, not a short term fix!
I walked past a shelter a week ago, there were men and women doing a feeding program (a bowl of porridge I think), now in itself that is ok, but I question the LONG TERM profit of such practices……..a full belly for a day yes BUT tomorrow hungry again!
Better to give a man a fishing rod and teaching him how to fish than giving a fish, well that is what I think anyway!
Pedicabs provide income on a long term, the families involved here in the program live better and have a more positive outlook on life (Christian or non), they are changed and they are lifted higher……self esteem and will to live improve. To me the contract between a bowl of porridge and a pedicab is obvious!!
Think about where your money and time and money are spent, look and examine the spiritual and long term impact, you do not have to be in a developing country to make an impact, just question longevity and impact!!
