WSJ: "Why Foreign Aid is Hurting Africa"

[kork13]

I've never been one to be vocal about any sort of cause, movement, outcry, public action, or whatever. But seeing this article really leaves me feeling like something must somehow be done to change it. Really, I'm speechless. It's so ironic--so many people who donate to various causes with the greatest of intentions, and yet it seems that it perpetuates a massive problem. African humanitarian aid: The self-licking ice-cream cone of global society. ..? I've actually heard this theme multiple times in the past, but the inertia of the problem prevents any meaningful action to correct it. ...... wow, I feel helpless.

"Why Foreign Aid is Hurting Africa"
It's long, I'll warn you there, but an eye-opener to be sure.

[GREENBACK]

Very informative. It's amazing that people don't have a grasp of this stuff. The typical donor feels good about giving a few dollars to charity without knowledge of what those dollars are truly doing. It's been well known for a while that corrupt gov'ts were taking this money but not many understand how it truly affects their economy.

[PrincessPerky]

I hope that supporting KIVA and Heifer international is better than generic aid, but I have to wonder when folk will learn pouring money at a problem wont fix it. Give em fish sure, but please teach them how to fish.

[GREENBACK]

Sort of mirrors the US system of giving money to the poor and thinking you're doing good but not addressing the underlying issues in the community.