At the risk of sounding like the worst kind of uncaring neo-con - I am about to step into shark infested waters.
Perched in front of the TV last night I was once again accosted by the Christian Children's Fund. I use "accosted" because in fact I was hailed, flagged down, presumed upon. The presumption is that if you show anyone a picture of a sickly, starving., needy child, the result will be boundless charity.
I agree that there are millions of children who are victims of poverty, war, and malnutrition in the Third World. I agree that no one should stand by and let it happen. No one!
That includes the governments of these countries - governments which are often embroiled in civil wars or other internal problems. They let it happen because we in the developed world are so guilt-stricken that we will come to their rescue.
Is that cynical enough for you?
The reaction to the images of helpless children is that if you help them you will feele better. If you don't help them you will feel guilty. But most of all - that without your help these neglected children will simply die. Tragedy.
The larger tragedy is that for wehatever reason - Realpolitic, commercial gain, economic colonialism, Third World countries have become the basket cases of our society.
Unfortunately, volunturism won't change it. Volunteerism makes volunteers feel better, worthy, giving, caring. And they are. But the impact is negligable. And the problem grows larger in spite of all the NGOs (for the uninitiated - Non-Governmental Organizations) and their concern.
The larger political and social problem is that as long as well meaning groups spend money in needy countries, the governments of those countries are relieved of the burden, Many, certainly not all Third World countries have the money to spend on arms. They are governed(?) by corrupt leaders who live in mansions and enjoy Swiss bank accounts. And even in the poorest country, there is an elite. That elite is saved from imnvolvement by the intrusion of NGOs (and developed world countries' aid) while the children's woeful faces peer out longingly at us from our TV screens.
Guilt works. It pries loose millions of dollars. But the reality is that even after all the years the problem is deeper and more profound.
The real political will to make change is not there. It is not there, at least partly because of millions of willing volunteers.
